Pleasure boat gets stuck under Chertsey Bridge after flooding
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A luxury pleasure boat became stuck while trying to pass under Chertsey Bridge on the River Thames in Surrey after rising waters made it career out of control.
The BBC reports that the crew of the boat had to be rescued by firefighters and the bridge was closed to traffic in both directions from about 1pm on Saturday after the vessel collided with an arch.
Two fire engines and a fire boat were sent and ropes were used to rescue the two people on board.
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According to The Sun, there was not enough clearance under the seven-arch bridge because of the flood-swollen river and the crew soon realised the boat wouldn't make it safely through the arch before it became firmly wedged.
A fire brigade spokesman said: 'We sent two fire engines and our boat rescue team to the scene. The boat was not sinking but was wedged under the bridge and I believe they were having trouble with their engine.'
The bridge reopened at 9:40pm and the 40ft vessel, thought to be worth £500,000, was towed away to be assessed for damage.
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