Rowers had a lucky escape this week when their boat split in half while out on the Thames.

Eight rowers got into a spot of bother on Wednesday, September 18, when their boat got caught sideways against one of the piers at Barnes bridge.

Passerby Nick Beer took some snaps of the rowers as they were rescued by a lifeboat.

He said: “I was just testing out my camera and saw it there.

“The tide was flowing out quite strongly and they got swept on to the piers and the boat came in half.”

The coast guard were alerted by passing boast Princess Freda, but lifeboats managed to help the rowers to safety.

The RNLI was not called, but a spokesman said: “The Chiswick crew drove past later in the day and everyone was safe.”