Believed to be person reported being dragged under a barge near Chiswick Pier

The RNLI lifeboat on an earlier rescue

A body of a man has been found on the Chiswick side of the Thames on the foreshore near Barnes Bridge this Thursday (16 August) just before midday.

It is believed to be the person who eye-witnesses reported as being drawn under the PLA driftwood barge near Corney Reach by a strong tide at about 3pm on Wednesday. They did not seen him surface again.

The Chiswick RNLI lifeboat was on the scene within a minute of the report as the barge is only a few hundred metres from the lifeboat’s mooring at Chiswick Pier. They carried out an extensive search around the barge and a houseboat moored alongside.

Soon after, the Marine Police and the Port of London Authority launch arrived and with an incoming tide searched the river towards Chiswick Bridge. The London Ambulance Service paramedics arrived at Chiswick Pier and searched around the pontoons and moored vessels. A police helicopter also carried out a search along the river using its thermal imaging camera.

Despite all these efforts the man was not found and the search continued through Thursday morning at the request of London Coastguard.

Corney Reach PLA driftwood barge in the distance. Picture: RNLI/David Clarke

RNLI helmsman Andy Mayo said, ‘This incident shows how dangerous the tidal Thames can be. The current can be very swift and catch people out. The exact circumstances are not clear and it is not appropriate to speculate at this time’.

Enquiries continue to identify the deceased.

The death is not being treated as suspicious.

August 17, 2018