Boaters weir ordeal

IT WAS a never to be forgotten experience for two boaters whose narrowboat broke loose from its moorings, and was forced against a Thames weir for nearly two hours.

The two had moored for the night above Shiplake Lock, but obviously not very well, as the lines gave way allowing the boat to drift downstream, being wedged onto the weir restraints, Alan Tilbury reveals.

Would not move

No amount of engine use would move the boat, so the emergency services were alerted just after 9pm, with a water rescue team and fire crews arriving at the scene.

It was 11pm however before the pair could be rescued from their ordeal on their stranded boat, then later the boat itself was pulled clear as there was the risk of it going over the weir.