Boozy boat owner rescued after falling in Thames (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Drunk man rescued after falling into River Thames near Twickenham Bridge

1:00pm Monday 18th March 2013 in News By Clare Buchanan

A drunk man had to be rescued and treated for hypothermia after he fell into the river.

The 59-year-old, who was trying to board his house boat, slipped in the mud and fell into the Thames at Ducks Walk, near Twickenham Bridge, at 11.30pm on Saturday, March 16.

Police, firefighters and ambulance crews were called to help save the man because his wife was not able to get him out of the cold water.

Richmond firefighters managed to pull him onto the riverbank and ambulance crews treated him for hypothermia before taking him to West Middlesex Hospital as a priority.

Fire fighter Lee Bouchez said: “I think he was quite intoxicated.

"He had gone down to where his boat was and the ground was pretty muddy and slippery.

“He had slipped between the boat and the bank.

“He was half way in but his wife couldn’t get him out.

“He was pretty close to us. We pulled him out. He was fine and breathing.

“While he was in the water he was slipping in and out of consciousness but he was fine.”