Stuck in the mud might be the name of a popular playground game, but it was reality for a group of children this morning.
A police helicopter was called out at around 11am to search for the four boys, who were stranded in the Thames near Gallions Point Marina.
Three ambulance crews and the hazardous area response team were sent to the scene, while the London Fire Brigade, the police boat unit and the RNLI all assisted.
Eric Meller, the managing director at Gallions Point Marina, said: “Staff from the marina helped get the boys out.
“A little boy was lying face down in the mud.”
He added that the access road to the Thames was blocked off, complicating the rescue mission.
“They could have all died for the sake of some wood,” he said.
The four children, whose ages have not been confirmed but are believed to be aged between nine and 11, were taken to Newham University Hospital but were said to be safe and well.
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