Mudmen plucked to safety
This is the dramatic moment when a man is dragged to safety after becoming trapped waist-deep in mud in the Thames.
The man and a friend had sunk into the mud at the water's edge near Battersea Bridge. The pair pleaded for help from passers-by, but no one was able to reach them.
After being alerted by a member of the public at about 7.30pm yesterday, the coastguard and fire brigade launched a joint operation, using 5m mud mats as they fought for almost an hour to free the men.
George Doughty, watch manager for the London coastguard, said: "We believe that one of the men had ventured towards the water's edge before getting stuck.
"His friend then tried to help him to safety but also became trapped. After receiving a call from a member of the public, a lifeboat and a fire boat were launched to effect a rescue."
The men, aged 45 and 28, were taken to Cadogan Pier, next to Battersea Bridge, where an ambulance was waiting to take them to hospital. It is not yet known why they ventured out to the water's edge.
A spokeswoman for the London Fire Brigade said: "They were trapped waist-deep in the mud for quite some time. When we got to them, they were cold and wet and suffering from suspected hypothermia."
