River was 'fast-flowing' before fatal accident

A survivor of a rowing accident on the River Thames in which an experienced rower died said he had never seen conditions like it.

On 11 October, 68-year-old Peter Lawson was swept down the Little Grey Weir near Sunbury Lock in Surrey after his boat capsized and broke in two - his body was found nine days later.

Peter Grey told Woking Coroner's Court on Thursday that the water near the weir was "incredibly fast-flowing" and they were "being sucked down the river".

Another crew member, Ashley Tilling, said you would not expect the weir to be open and described how he was "fully immersed" and "quaking" after their boat capsized.

Mr Tilling said both rowers "would err on the side of caution", but the group of four still got into difficulty on their return trip from Weybridge Rowing Club towards Walton.

He said he became aware the boat was drifting towards the weir and that when the boat capsized the four-man crew grabbed the ropes of posts.

He said a cruiser, which he later discovered had sunk two weeks before, had appeared.

Mr Tilling added: "It was quite spooky to see this cruiser emerging. I think it may have affected the [water] flow that end."

In a statement, the crew's coach Alice Leake described how she shouted a warning when she saw the boat drift towards the weir.

She tried to rescue the four men but her own boat became submerged and she went down the weir and was knocked unconscious.

Mr Grey said another boat had gone out earlier and did not report any problems.

The crew also assessed the water flow and their club's risk assessment was at yellow.

The Environment Agency's "red board" for the stretch was at red, but Mr Tilling said experienced crews could go out in those conditions.

The Environment Agency is also expected to give evidence at the inquest.

The inquest is scheduled to continue on Friday.

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