Dramatic river rescue in swollen Doncaster river
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue. Picture: Marie Caley D0949MC
A MAN and his two nephews were plucked to safety after they got into difficulty in a fast-flowing weir.
Fire crews used ropes and harnesses to rescue the man and children from the River Don in Marshgate.
They had been boating on the river, swelled by heavy rain, when currents caught took hold of their two dinghies at around 4.30pm on Sunday.
Doncaster firefighters used ropes and pulleys to get down to river level and rescue the casualties, who were checked over at the scene by paramedics.
Martin Oldknow, of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, said: “These three people had a very, very lucky escape. Our normal advice to people is always to stay clear of rivers open water as there’s no way of telling the flow, depth or any hazards which may lie beneath. But after the recent heavy rain, this is even more important as rivers like this one can quickly become a death trap.”
After the weekend’s torrential downpours, firefighters have called for people should be even more careful near rivers, lakes and canals.
Their advice includes:
· Obey safety notices and only swim in pools or designated swimming areas.
· Stay clear of locks and weirs where there may be dangerous currents.
· Always wear a lifejacket when you’re going boating.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for South Yorkshire
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 30 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 7 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
