Six people were thrown into the water after two boats crashed on the river in York this afternoon (Wednesday).
It happened on the Ouse near Lendal Bridge at about 12.25pm.
A self-drive blue boat hired from City Cruises York and one of the firm’s larger sightseeing boats, the River Duchess, were in collision.
The smaller vessel capsized and sank. All six people on board ended up in the river.
City Cruises staff hauled three of them aboard the River Duchess. Three more made it to the bank, either next to the rowing club or in between the bridge and Barker Tower.
Members of the public helped pull them from the water.
Staff from the Perky Peacock café in Barker Tower gave out hot drinks to those rescued from the river. They were shivering with the cold, the café staff told YorkMix, but the police and ambulance came within minutes.
A Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We received an emergency call at 12.25pm on Wednesday afternoon to report a boat collision on the River Ouse, near Lendal Bridge in York.
“An ambulance, rapid response vehicle and team leader were dispatched to the scene.
“Six patients were checked over and one of them was conveyed to York Hospital.”
A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “The ambulance service contacted us to report their attendance to a capsized boat with six people in the water near to Lendal Bridge in York.
“ On arrival officers confirm all six persons have been recovered from the water safe and well.
“The boat was a small hire boat which sank to the bottom of the river after colliding with another craft.”
A spokesperson for City Cruises York told YorkMix: “Today, at approximately 12.30pm, an incident occurred on the River Ouse involving a City Cruises York self-drive boat that veered into the course of another passenger boat.
“As a result of the collision, the self-drive boat capsized and six individuals found themselves in the water.
“Our dedicated City Cruises York team acted swiftly to ensure the safety of all individuals involved.
“Immediate rescue efforts were initiated and all individuals were successfully rescued from the water with no injuries reported.
“The safety of our passengers and crew is the upmost of importance to us and we are currently conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.
“Necessary health and safety procedures are followed at all times, and captains and crew of our boats have regular training to provide the safest environment possible for our passengers.”