Nine people, including a baby, are in hospital after a boat reportedly exploded in Lechlade.
A significant number of emergency services personnel raced to the serious incident on the River Thames at around midday on Saturday (31 May).
As the flames took hold of the residential vessel following what is thought to have been an explosion, members of the public helped rescue people from the fire and water.
Two air ambulances, six ambulances, three Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) ambulances and two ambulance rapid response vehicles were on scene.
Thames Valley Air Ambulance and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance both landed in the field, just metres from where 999 vehicles had parked.
Also attending were numerous fire engines and police units from Gloucestershire Constabulary, Thames Valley Police, Wiltshire Police and the MOD Police.
Nine people sustained injuries in the incident, and were taken to hospital – according to police.
It’s understood that a child, thought to be an infant, was airlifted to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children for urgent care.
Another person was airlifted to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for treatment, while others were taken to hospitals by land ambulance.
The incident happened in a part of Lechlade which sits on the Wiltshire side of the county border with Gloucestershire, meaning Wiltshire Police will lead an investigation into what happened.
“A section of the river was closed and enquiries into the cause of the fire are ongoing”, a spokesperson for the force said.
Wiltshire Police has not provided details on the conditions of those injured. It’s understood that at least two people have been discharged from hospital.
