River Lea rarrowboat hit by ice gives owner sinking feeling

EVER dreamt of living on a house boat sailing up and down the East End s intricate waterways? Rising damp could be an issue though if you were to try and let this narrow boat.

By Else Kvist

EVER dreamt of living on a house boat sailing up and down the East End's intricate waterways? Rising damp could be an issue though if you were to try and let this narrow boat which has sunk into the River Lea by Bow Bridge, near Three Mill Lane, in Bromley-By-Bow. But lettings agent Angels was surprised to learn that one of their signs was displayed on the boat. One of their lettings agents told the Advertiser: "We don't do boats. Someone must be having a joke and stuck it on there. It sounds like a comedy sketch. It's very amusing."

However, the boat's occupant had a lucky escape when he managed to 'jump ship' when the vessel sank as ice on the freezing river broke on January 9.

Police were called to the scene following reports of a man in the water, but said he managed to make his own way to the shore.

An ambulance and two ambulance response vehicles also attended. A London Ambulance spokeswoman said paramedics assessed the man at the scene but he was not taken to hospital.

British Waterways say they are now working with the boat's owner to remove it from the waterway.