Boating Enthusiast Drowns Minutes After Rescuing His Elderly Mother From Sinking Narrowboat
An elderly mother watched in agony as her son drowned on a narrowboat just minutes after he saved her life.
Alan Green had got back on board the sinking boat on the Droitwich Junction Canal in Worcestershire to retrieved a bag containing a large amount of cash when he got trapped.
Rescue teams rushed to the area and drained the lock before pulling out Mr Green - but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Shocked friends told how Mr Green, who was in his 40s, had rescued his mother and dog before climbing back onto the boat to try and salvage his treasured belongings.
Tragic: Alan Green got into trouble while trying to retrieve money from the boat (SWNS)
Life saver: Mr Green had rescued his elderly mother before returning to the narrowboat (SWNS)
He had reportedly been carrying the bag of money in order to buy a new boat.
Have-a-go-hero James Cowlishaw, 69, desperately tried to save Mr Green after spotting the boat sinking as it went through the lock.
The volunteer lock keeper said: “Earlier in the day he went past on his boat, we passed the time of day and he went off into the distance and we caught him up in those terrible circumstances.
"There was an air gap at the top but we had no response when we were knocking the top of the boat which was worrying.
"I tried to get in the front but it was rammed with bedding and furniture which was floating about in there.
"The emergency services took over and eventually found him.
Tributes: Flowers have been placed at the site of the accident (SWNS)
"We can’t understand how he got in the trouble he did.”
Mr Cowlishaw said Mr Green was a well-known member of the canal community.
A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "Ambulance crew provided treatment, however the man in his 40s sadly died at the scene.
"Another man and a woman who were also on the boat received precautionary treatment.
"The man’s next of kin have been informed.”
A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service added: “The lock was drained and firefighters went on board the narrowboat.
Purchase: Mr Green had took money out to buy a new boat (SWNS)
Cleared: The junction is due to re-open today (SWNS)
"They brought the man out and advanced life support was carried out by ambulance staff, but sadly it was not possible to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene.
"An elderly woman who had managed to get off the narrow boat was assessed by ambulance staff but was found to be uninjured and was left with police officers.”
The Canal and River Trust said they are hoping to open the junction today and are working with contractors to clear the locks.
A spokesman added: “Incidents like this are rare, and while there’s no indication there’s a problem with the canal, we’ll be looking at whether there’s anything we can do to prevent this kind of thing happening again in future.”
Top pic: SWNS
