River Thames boat capsizes: Fears grow for missing man in his 60s as urgent river search underway

A rescue mission is under way after a rowing boat capsized in the River Thames .

Six people are believed to have been on the boat when it capsized near the island of Wheatleys Eyot, in Sunbury-on-Thames , shortly before 8:50am on Friday morning.

Five people have been safely located so far, but one person – believed to be a man in his 60s – remains missing, Surrey Police said, adding that his relatives have been informed.

Members of the public have been urged to avoid the area at Sunbury Lock as police, paramedics and members of the Surrey Fire and Rescue service continue the search.

Three people have been taken to St Peter’s Hospital, the South East Coast Ambulance service told Surrey Live, with a spokesperson saying paramedics had been “called to reports of a number of people in difficulty in the water at Sunbury Lock”.

Police do not currently believe there to be any suspicious circumstances or third-party involvement.