Lifeboat crew called to rescue after men strip naked and jump in Thames to celebrate Murray's Wimbledon victory

Hannah Al-Othman11 July 2016

Lifeboat crews were called to the rescue of two men who stripped naked and jumped from a bridge into the River Thames to celebrate Andy Murray's Wimbledon win.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution crew from Chiswick was scrambled by London Coastguard yesterday just before 3.30pm, after the two revellers were seen jumping off Barnes Bridge into the river, which is known for its strong currents and cold temperatures.

When lifeboat crews turned up to rescue them, the two men confessed they had been drinking all day while watching the men’s Wimbledon final.

Both men were unharmed, but Rob Archibald, Chiswick RNLI lifeboat helmsman, said the situation could have turned out very differently.

He said: "Time and time again we see people doing this – jumping off a bridge or directly into the River Thames might seem a lark or an easy way to cool off in summer, but the dangers are very real.

"It might look cool and inviting, it might seem harmless, but that river can have deadly currents. It is a tidal river, and can move as fast as 5 to 6 knots on a Spring tide when the tide is at its peak.

"Add to that the risk of cold water shock and the fact there are all manner of hidden objects beneath the surface at high tide, and you have a potential recipe for disaster – sadly one we have seen end badly too many times.

"Thankfully, when we arrived on scene these two chaps were near the bank of the river underneath the bridge, and they both safely got out.

"But it could easily have been another story – we have had people jump off bridges and never be seen again; or at least, not alive. I would urge the public, please be aware of the risks, and please – respect the water."

The RNLI is running a ‘Respect the Water’ drowning prevention campaign, which aims to halve the number of accidental drownings by 2024.

The campaign is targeted at adult men, who account for most incidents.

Last year saw an increase in the number of men losing their lives through drowning.

Between 2011 and 2014 men have accounted for three-quarters of deaths but in 2015 this increased to 84 per cent.

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