Emergency services were scrambled to Richmond Riverside in the early hours of this morning after a pontoon sank, dragging boats and small vessels under the water.

Your Local Guardian:

The Boat restaurant at Richmond Bridge was among the vessels affected (Credit: Teddington RNLI)

A crew from Teddington RNLI was called to The Boat restaurant at Richmond Bridge at 1.10am after reports a boat or pontoon was sinking and large crowds of people watching.

When the crew arrived, an owner of some rowing boats tied to the pontoon said his boats were being dragged under the water and other vessels, including the restaurant, were rapidly taking on water.

James Kavanagh, RNLI crew member, said: “The real problem and the danger was the large boats which were fastened onto the pontoon. The ropes were under massive pressure.

“We don’t know what happened but the pontoon clearly didn’t rise with the tide.”

The crew searched the area for possible casualties and returned to the sinking restaurant once the all clear was given.

Mr Kavanagh said while the crew was at the scene, they could hear the crashing of metal and feared gas canisters may have been damaged on the boats which were sinking.

Firefighters from Twickenham fire station were called as a precaution but no gas was found on board.

Mr Kavanagh said: “Our main concern was for people who might have been injured, but luckily that was not the case.”

Marine police arrived at 2.15am to ensure the river was safe from obstruction and the RNLI was stood down at 2.50am.

The Boat was previously owned by Jesus College, Oxford, and was built for use in river processions on the Thames in the 15th century

It is one of only 11 remaining barges of its kind and is now owned by four friends who transformed it into a restaurant.

  • Did you see what happened? Contact the newsdesk on 020 8722 6395 or email laura.proto@london.newsquest.co.uk.