Tourists Get Close Up of Thames

Mini-cab slides down the slipway at Swan Street Isleworth

Photo courtesy @LondonFire

Water-way to end the night for two mini cab passengers got more than they bargained for by nearly becoming submerged in the River Thames after asking their driver to show them the river in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The driver was dropping off two passengers in Swan Street in Isleworth at around 1am when they said they wanted to see London’s famous river.

Driving further along the road to show the passengers where they could see the Thames, the driver went over a ridge in the road and slid down the muddy slipway down to the waterfront.

The driver was unable to get back up onto the flat road and had to put all his weight on the brake to prevent the vehicle from slipping closer to the river.

Thankfully the tide was out and firefighters were able to pull the car back onto the flat road using a winch on the front of a fire engine. There were no reports of any injuries.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “The River Thames is a fantastic attraction but we would urge all drivers to not drive too close to the edge as the low tide can leave mud banks, the terrain may not necessarily be noticeable and you could end up in a sticky situation.”

The Brigade was called at 0120 and the incident was over for firefighters at 0147. Two fire engines and a fire rescue unit from Heston fire station attended the scene.

The duty of care was left with the Metropolitan Police Service.

October 2, 2017