Pensioner overboard in Severn rowing accident (From Worcester News)

Pensioner overboard in Severn rowing accident

1:46pm Monday 29th January 2007 in News By Kate Yates

A 72-year-old clung to an overturned boat and another man swam to safety after an rowing accident in the River Severn.

Two rowers escaped without injury following the accident, which happened in Upton-upon-Severn at about 9.30am on Saturday.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "When the crew arrived, both people were out of the river but were very cold.

"It appears they had been taking part in a rowing club exercise and had been going downstream quite fast when their oars made contact with a moored boat, which caused them to tip over.

"A very fit, 72-year-old male hung on to the boat until he was pulled to the side and a 38-year-old male swam to shore straight away."

A spokeswoman for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: "It was not as bad as it could have been."

She said it was not necessary for the service to launch its inflatable boat because the men managed to get to the riverbank of their own accord, although firefighters helped to pull the elderly man from the water.

The accident happened near The Swan Hotel.

Both men were taken, by ambulance to Worcestershire Royal Hospital for a check-up.