River Thames boat explosion horror leaves child with 'life-changing burns'

An 18-month old child suffered "potentially life-changing burns" left nine people injured.

Firefighters were pictured putting out a blaze in the small town of Lechlade, on the edge of Wiltshire, just after midday on Saturday. The boat but the exact circumstances which led to the the terrifying blaze are not yet known. People were forced to jump into the water even though some couldn't swim and among the nine people taken to hospital where four children.

Police have now praised the "heroic bravery" of passers-by who helped the injured in the water. It is understood that holidaymakers from Wales who were walking by jumped into the water to help the people, which police believe could well have saved lives.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

There are now three people still in hospital and two including the 18-month-old child have suffered "potentially life-changing burns".

An updated statement from reads: "Three people remain in hospital following an explosion on a boat in Lechlade over the weekend. At around noon on Saturday (31/05), we received a report of a boat fire on the River Thames.

"At the time of the incident, the boat was away from the bank, and as a result all of those onboard – five adults and four children aged from 18 months to seven years – ended up in the water.

"The nine people involved were taken to hospital. Three of the party remain in hospital in a stable condition, two of whom – including the 18-month-old child – have suffered potentially life-changing burns. A cordon was put in place for further enquiries into the incident to be carried out and has now been lifted."

Detective Superintendent Joe Garrity said: “Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragic incident. It is a miracle there were no fatalities, and much of that must be put down to the response of two holidaymakers from Wales who happened to be passing.

“With no thought for their own safety, they jumped into the Thames to help save the lives of those involved, some of whom couldn’t swim. It was heroic bravery.

“I would also like to thank Gloucestershire and officers who were the first to respond to the incident, RAF Fairford who also provided support, and the ambulance and fire services.

“A cordon was put in place on the river to ensure the safety of other canal users and for further enquiries into the cause of the explosion to be carried out - this has now been lifted. I would encourage anyone with relevant information to contact Wiltshire Police quoting log 129 of May 31.”