A child was rescued from the Thames in Greenwich after falling 26ft into the water, a distance equivalent to a two-storey house.

The 12-year-old boy had fallen "from height" into the exposed foreshore in Ballast Quay, near the Cutty Sark pub, at around 9pm on Saturday (April 9).

It has been described as a "terrifying experience" and "every parent's worst nightmare" by lifeboat helmsmen.

It is believed he had been playing on the enbankment when he slipped and fell of a wall, onto the ground below.

Tower RNLI lifeboat crew, the Met's marine policing unit, London Ambulance Service's ambulance (LAS), the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and London's air ambulance were all called to help the young patient.

The boy was rushed to the Royal London Hospital, as a priority, escorted by the air ambulance doctor - suffering from a hip injury.

Tower RNLI helmsman Jai Gudgion said: "Myself and volunteer crew member Adam Garland, who is a doctor, went ashore to help.

"We took our orange basket stretcher to safely put the boy in and some blankets to keep him warm.

"He was conscious as we helped treat him but obviously he and his parents were very shaken and worried, as any parent would be.

"He had mud over his face and no obvious cuts, but paramedics were concerned about some swelling on his hip."

News Shopper:

Mr Gudgion added: "We believe he was OK but no doubt it was a terrifying  experience for him and his family.

"He was very lucky too – the hard floor was uneven with rocks and bits of metal sticking up. It could have been so much worse."

RNLI London's incident reduction manager Adam Robson said: "It appears this young boy slipped and fell from the bank onto the foreshore.

"Watching the video really hits home that it's every parent's worst nightmare, not knowing how badly your child is injured and watching helplessly as emergency services care for them.

"It's not an easy watch, but if it reminds people to respect the water, and if it prevents even one person getting into difficulty or getting injured, we think it's important to share it."

TODAY'S TOP STORIES: