Holidaying doctor leaps into Thames in rescue attempt
A Danish doctor on a visit to East London with his family dived into the Thames in an attempt to save a man who he saw plunge into the water.
Dr Andreas Agger risked his own safety after seeing the man jump into the river close to Billingsgate Fish Market in Blackwall on Saturday morning (May 21).
He threw in a lifebelt and stripped down to his underwear before flagging down a passing rescue speedboat which had been called out.
Faced with strong currents, the doctor leapt into the water and grabbed the man but despite giving life saving treatment was not able to save him.
London’s Air Ambulance had also been called to the scene.
Stu Morrison, helm for RNLI Tower Lifeboat which attempted the rescue, praised the doctor for his heroic efforts and said the scene was an example of “river neighbours all working together”.
He added: “The help of Dr Agger was invaluable as he, the London Ambulance Service, HEMS and the RNLI worked together for 35 minutes to revive the casualty.”
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The RNLI is a charity run by volunteers which relies on public and private donations.
