Major emergency response on Oxford Donnington Bridge

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.