Heroic Rescue Unfolds on the Thames Amid Tragedy

Heroic Rescue Unfolds on the Thames Amid Tragedy

A dramatic rescue occurred on the River Thames as a man described how he bravely pulled a boy from the water, subsequent to the tragic discovery of a body believed to be that of the boy's younger sister. The incident unfolded at the Royal Terrace Pier in Gravesend, Kent, initiating a frantic search amid heartbreaking circumstances.

George Karnovski, a 37-year-old RAF member, recounted how he rescued an "11-year-old" boy who had entered the turbulent waters and was in grave danger. Upon securing the child on a buoy, George was met with the boy's desperate screams as he fought to stay afloat. Despite a swift response from emergency services, tragedy struck when Kent Police and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) discovered the lifeless body of a young girl later that day.

Witnesses have suggested that the girl is likely the younger sister of the rescued boy. Authorities confirmed that formal identification had been performed, and the case is currently classified as non-suspicious.

The emergency services were alerted Friday afternoon following concerns regarding the welfare of the two children who had purportedly plunged into the river at nearby Royal Pier Road. As George struggled to comprehend the situation, he voiced his frantic concern: "At the same time as pulling him out, I was looking around, like, where is she, where is she? I'm shouting, saying 'there's one more, there's one more'. I'm looking around, [but] for love nor money, I cannot see the little girl."

Accompanied by his brother Jack, who lives in the vicinity, George had been visiting family when he learned of the unfolding emergency. While out for a walk, they were alerted to the alarming situation, which George noted was exacerbated by a strong current in the water. According to Jack, when he observed his wife scream and point towards the river, he instinctively dashed towards the scene, believing his own children were in peril.

The brothers quickly realized there was only a single life ring available, resulting in George, who had prior lifeguard training, being the only one able to enter the treacherous waters. Jack described the harrowing decision to jump in, recalling how George could not feel the river bottom as he swam out. "We had to run down the jetty because the tide was running up. The jetty is quite long. By the time you ran down it, it was deep water," Jack stated.

As George entered the frigid waters, he assessed the situation, admitting that even for a seasoned swimmer, the conditions were daunting. After diving in, he positioned himself approximately 40 to 50 metres (131 to 164 feet) away from the children, taking about two minutes to reach them. "I started swimming. I went quite hard to begin with, but then started running out of steam," George admitted, highlighting the intense challenge he faced.

Meanwhile, Jack, stationed on the pier, directed George throughout the rescue effort as the currents swept the children rapidly downstream. He remarked, "In terms of the current, they'd fallen off the jetty. They were about 50 metres away, going towards London. By the time my brother had caught up with them, I'd say he was 150 to 200 metres (492 to 656 feet) away." This stark detail emphasized the urgent and critical nature of the situation.

The brothers expressed gratitude towards the various organizations that assisted in the rescue efforts, such as the RNLI and the London Port Authority (LPA). The LPA, in a statement, conveyed its support to the police as inquiries continued into the causes of this tragic event, stating, "It is so sad and the thoughts of the whole of the LPA are with their loved ones."

This harrowing incident underscores the dangers of open water and serves as a tragic reminder of the unexpectedness that can accompany seemingly ordinary outings.