RNLI crew rescue Cleo the Harris’s Hawk
One of the more unusual rescues for Tower lifeboat station, shortly after lunchtime today RNLI lifeboat crew saved the life of this impressive bird.
They spotted the bird of prey in distress struggling in the River Thames near Embankment Pier. With the bird in danger of drowning, the crew managed to manoeuvre the lifeboat into a position where they could pluck it from the water.
Steve King, helm at Tower RNLI lifeboat station, said: "We see all manner of injuries when we launch our lifeboats to people in distress, but rarely do we get casualties of this kind. We are delighted to have been of assistance!”
Cleo was being worked on the embankment chasing away pigeons and was spooked by a kestrel that attacked her. When she tried to get away her tether got caught and fell into the water. The crew were able to rescue Cleo and bring her back to her relieved and grateful owners.
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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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