HOLIDAYMAKERS were rescued after a hire boat got caught in fast-flowing river water and slammed into a bank.

Stourport's Starline Narrowboats said they were contacted by a UK-wide hire boat company who asked if they could assist in the recovery of a vessel that had become grounded.

On Sunday (April 30), the boat had been taken far beyond the end of navigation sign by the holidaymakers on board, and as soon as they had realised their mistake, they attempted to turn the 7ft wide boat.

The company said the boat was caught by the racing water and hit a bank near Bewdley.

The fire service rescued the occupants in the evening but was unable to recover the boat due to the location and strength of the current.

Rob Coop, operations manager from Starline Narrowboats, said: "The boat was stuck at a water current pinch point underneath the flyover bridge on the A456 near Blackstone Meadow about a 45-minute cruise passed the end of navigable river.

"The water level is usually to shallow to get that far up but the rain had raised the level just enough to cruise up. The water level was dropping quite quickly so we had a very limited window in which to recover the vessel.

"The water there is very shallow, rocky and fast flowing making it challenging for the fire and rescue services to evacuate the hirers from the narrowboat.

"From the water’s edge under the bridge it looks very treacherous.

"Two of us agreed to attempt the recovery, we know the river relatively well and train people to handle these boats for a living.

"The water current was strong making it a real struggle to get close enough to attempt the recovery as the boat was in a terrible position half under the bridge.

"Through quick rope work though we managed to pull the stricken vessel free".

The crew who has previously been rescued were there waiting to resume their holiday, this time taking a more sedate route up the canal.