ECKINGTON Bridge on the Avon claimed another victim when a narrowboat attempted to navigate it whilst in flood, so was wedged tight in the bridge.
The steerer took the correct marked arch, but the height of the stream just would not allow clearance, so they became completely stuck, Alan Tilbury tells us.
Five people rescued
It then needed the Hereford & Worcester Fire Service to rescue the five people from the stranded narrowboat, and then a specialist water rescue team from Pershore to rescue the boat from the arch and secure it. The picture shows the bridge when the river is at its normal level, but it soon rises after heavy rain.
There was advice in place not to use the river as it was in flood, but the crew chose to ignore it, attempting to navigate Eckington Bridge, though even its main navigable arch was obviously impassible.
Whilst the rescue was taking place all the people on board were given life jackets to wear in view of the danger in getting them off the stricken boat. The bridge has claimed many victims, not only those attempting to navigate it during flooded conditions, but also those taking the wrong—unnavigable—arches.