Around 20 land and air emergency vehicles were responding to reports of a “person in difficulty in the water”, according to Thames Valley Police, Oxford.

Eyewitnesses said seven police cars and a helicopter were first seen on Donnington Bridge shortly after 6pm on Wednesday, May 27.

Mass emergency police presence on Donnington Bridge (Image: Zoe Broughton)

Officers were spotted on the span overlooking the water, watching Oxford University Boat Club’s Summer Eights ‘bumps’ races on the Isis, before the situation appeared to escalate and more vehicles arrived.

Four police officers on Donnington Bridge (Image: Zoe Broughton)

Boat racing concluded at around 6.52pm, according to commentary, and shortly afterwards rowers and spectators were asked to move away from the bridge, riverbanks and the Longbridges boathouse area as the emergency response intensified.

READ MORE: Oxford – large police presence at Donnington Bridge

Witnesses said college crews that had already passed Donnington Bridge towards the start by Iffley Lock were not allowed to row home.

By about 8.30pm, one crew was still stranded in its boat near Iffley Lock while others had left their boats and were waiting to be picked up near Donnington Bridge.

Police helicopter seen circling over the River Thames near Donnington Bridge (Image: Zoe Broughton)

A commenter on the Oxford Mail’s Facebook page claimed there were around 20 emergency vehicles at the scene, on the ground and in the air, including 11 police cars, four fire engines, two ambulance trucks, two ambulance cars and a helicopter.

There have also been multiple eyewitness reports suggesting a water search has taken place, although this has not yet been confirmed by the authorities.

Traffic data from AA Traffic News showed Donnington Bridge was closed while the alleged operation was under way, but by about 7.30pm the service reported it had reopened.

An anonymous eyewitness on their way home from work said a fire engine and four police cars were still on the bridge, as officers spoke to people and asked cyclists to dismount and walk.

Fire crew near Iffley Lock (Image: Kevin Brackett)

Downstream near Iffley Lock, at around 8.30pm, Kevin Brackett, who had been filming Oriel College with a drone at the event, reported seeing around six emergency vehicles, including police, ambulance and fire crews, positioned near Mill Lane.

Ambulance near Iffley Lock (Image: Kevin Brackett)

Summer Eights, a four‑day bumps racing event organised by Oxford University Rowing Club, began today and is due to run until Saturday, May 30.

In this style of racing, boats start in single file along the river and each crew attempts to “bump” the boat in front while avoiding being bumped from behind, drawing large crowds of students, alumni and locals to the towpath.

Thames Valley Police has been contacted for a comment.

The event is taking place at Cecconi’s Bicester and will be led by the restaurant’s head chef, who will guide youngsters through making their own pizza from start to finish.

Each child will roll out dough, shape their pizza and add toppings before enjoying fries, a drink and a scoop of ice cream.

They will also learn about the history of the Margherita pizza.

Each child will receive a paper chef’s hat and apron during the session, which begins at 11am and costs £20 per child.

Up to 20 guests can take part, and advance booking is required.

Accompanying adults can enjoy 20 per cent off their meal while dining during the session.

Kirtlington Park House in Kirtlington has been listed by Savills, with the property featuring 17 bedrooms and 15 bathrooms.

The house was designed by James Gibbs and refined by John Sanderson and includes the 36-foot-high Saloon and the “world famous Monkey Room”.

READ MORE: Michael Caine’s £10m riverside Oxfordshire manor in another price drop

Its listing states of the room: “The celebrated Monkey Room features a decorative ceiling painted in 1760 by the French artist Andien de Clermont, depicting monkeys engaged in human pursuits in the mid 18th century style known as singerie.”

Termed one of England’s finest Palladian country houses, the manor is set over around 30 acres with a floor space of approximately 36,700 sq ft.

Kirtlington Park House (Image: Savills)

It was built in 1742 for Sir James Dashwood and since then has been restored, including works to the roof and interiors as well as upgrades to plumbing and electrics.

It features a library, dining and drawing room, a games and cinema room, a billiards room, a gym, plant room and wine cellar.

In addition the property includes The Dairy, a one-bedroom cottage in its own garden with a woodland view, and the Stone Barn Cottages.

READ MORE: Iconic BBC show’s legendary £45m Oxfordshire lakeside mansion up for sale

On the garden, the listing states: “The grounds enjoy exceptional far-reaching views across the Oxfordshire countryside towards the Chiltern Hills.

“The landscape includes the celebrated Capability Brown lake positioned in the far distance to create a masterful sense of perspective.”

Mr Brown was a famous 18th century landscape garden architect.