Wandsworth (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Emergency services launched a major search in the River Thames near Wandsworth after reports of a person in the water at 12:30 pm on 30th January, 2025.
Witnesses have reported seeing fire engines and helicopters in the Riverside Quarter neighbourhood, and numerous emergency services are on the site. Additionally, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has been seen heading to the scene with its blue lights on.
“I was in Hammersmith an hour ago and the RNLI were heading that way with Blue lights on,”
one local resident wrote on social media.
In East Putney, a different witness reported “seeing/hearing [emergency services] for quite a while now and lots of sirens.”
Why are emergency services conducting a major search in the River Thames?
Residents have been informed of the issue, and while emergency personnel search, river traffic and surrounding activities may be temporarily disrupted.
This search follows a trend of comparable accidents in urban rivers, where people may need help for a variety of reasons or fall into the river by accident. Over the years, the Thames has been the scene of multiple emergency reactions.
Safety precautions for people near the riverbanks will probably be reiterated by authorities, particularly in adverse weather or low visibility situations.
The incident took place close to Wandsworth Bridge, where the River Wandle meets the Thames.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said:
“The Brigade responded to reports of a person in the water near the mouth of Bell Lane Creek, Wandsworth. Crews attended alongside units from the RNLI, London Ambulance Service and Metropolitan Police Service.
A fire boat from the Brigade’s Lambeth River Fire Station was deployed as part of our response, alongside fire engines from the surrounding area. Crews carried out a systematic search of the scene, but no person could be located.
The Brigade was notified about the incident at 1244, and operations for firefighters concluded at 1439. Responsibility for the incident was left with the police.”
What is the current status of the search operation in the River Thames near Wandsworth?
The search for a person reported in the River Thames in Wandsworth is still going on as of January 31, 2025. Since the first reports surfaced on January 30, search and rescue teams and the Metropolitan Police have been among the emergency agencies participating.
The Metropolitan Police verified that they are present and working with other emergency personnel to coordinate the search. The aim of the operation is to find the person who was reportedly in distress in the river.
Despite the continuous search, river services are continuing as there have been no reported problems at any ports along the Thames, according to Transport for London.
Authorities have emphasised the need for vigilance during such situations and have reinforced safety precautions for people along the riverbanks.