Volunteer crews were called out to a man trapped against a pier on Monday afternoon
A man trapped against a pier in the River Thames had a lucky escape after being rescued by RNLI volunteers.
Two lifeboats joined forces to rescue the man on Monday afternoon after he became trapped between a Thames Clipper boat and Embankment Pier.
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Once on scene, RNLI crews rounded the river bus’s bow and spotted the man between the hull and the pier.
The skipper of the Thames Clipper then skilfully moved his stern away from the pier to avoid crushing the casualty and allowing Tower lifeboat to reach him.
After being recovered from the water, rescue crews found the man was conscious and breathing but in a very confused state.
He was transferred by stretcher to the pier and taken care of until an ambulance arrived.
The London Ambulance Service treated the man for hypothermia before taking him to Homerton Hospital in east London.
Helmsman Peter Knight said: “It was a good example of cooperation between two lifeboats to deal with a life-threatening situation. Our joint training exercises enabled us to seamlessly coordinate our efforts.”