Holidaymakers saved after canal boat got trapped in lock
Two holidaymakers got their canal boat stuck in a lock resulting in an eight hour rescue mission.
The £80,000 rented narrowboat began to sink after becoming wedged at the back at Kegworth New Lock, on the River Soar, near Kegworth, Notts.
The boat had hit the sill at the back of the 12-foot deep lock and the couple on board were unable to free it as the waters continued to drop.
Rescuers intervened when water began to seep into the front of the boat – leaving lock keepers unable to re-flood the lock for fear of completely submerging the narrowboat.
The boat was left at a near 30 degree angle in the lock while specialist teams battled for hours to refloat it and get the passengers out.
A woman in her 60s was treated at the scene for head injuries sustained while escaping the stricken craft.
Wyvern Shipping, which rented the boat out, said it had lost £1,000 worth of furniture through the mishap.
Managing director James Griffin told the Daily Mail that the couple who hired the narrowboat were ‘experienced boaters’, but were caught out by the depth of the lock, which was several feet deeper than the average lock.
Mr Griffin said the boat was back in the water Friday, and the couple, were continuing on their three-week jaunt.
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