
Gravesend RNLI dove in to avian rescue to save a pigeon from the River Thames
The lifeboat crew spotted the pigeon in distress and being pestered by gulls in the cold water of the River Thames.
Gravesend lifeboat crew member John Robinson took part in the pigeon rescue and said, ‘The RNLI cannot be pigeon-holed as a charity which only saves human lives. We do our best to save all lives at sea and on the River Thames, whether that is a human or animal life.
The RNLI’s advice is never to try and rescue animals in distress in the water yourself. This can be dangerous, or fatal. If you see someone - human or animal - in trouble, call 999 and ask for the coastguard.’
In fact, this is not station’s first avian rescue, with Gravesend lifeboat station crew having featured on the 2022 series 7 of Saving Lives at Sea, rescuing an injured swan.
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Helena Lane, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Gravesend RNLI email [email protected]
Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (London and South East), on 02076 207 425 or 07785 296 252, or email [email protected]
Julie Rainey, Regional Media Manager (South East), on 07827 358 256 or email [email protected]
RNLI Press Office on 01202 336 789 or email [email protected]
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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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