Toddler left with life-changing burns after boat ‘exploded’ on River Thames with nine rushed to hospital after fire
A TODDLER has suffered life-changing burns after a boat burst into flames on the River Thames, injuring nine.
Five adults and four children were rushed to hospital after the boat “exploded” on the river in Lechlade, Gloucestershire.
Three – including an 18-month-old toddler – remain in hospital for treatment after the horror fire on the weekend.
They are in a “stable” condition but two of them, including the toddler, have “potentially life-changing burns”.
Wiltshire Police received reports of a boat fire at around noon on Saturday and the vessel was away from the bank at the time.
Police, firefighters, paramedics, and air ambulances scrambled to the scene.
All nine people onboard ended up in the water.
There were four children aged between 18 months and seven-years-old on the boat.
The force said it is a “miracle” no one died during the fire.
Detective Superintendent Joe Garrity credited two “heroic” holidaymakers from Wales who jumped into the water to help.
“With no thought for their own safety, they jumped into the Thames to help save the lives of those involved, some of whom couldn’t swim,” he said.
He asked for anyone with information on the fire to get in touch.
It is not yet known what caused the boat to go up in flames.