This is the dramatic moment a 12-year-old boy was rescued in darkness after falling 26ft - a distance equivalent to a two-storey house - onto the foreshore of the River Thames.
Video footage shows lifeboat crew and paramedics rushing to the aid of the child, who slipped and fell when he was playing near to the Cutty Sark pub on Ballast Quay in Greenwich.
Lifeboat helmsmen, who helped to rescue the boy at around 9.15pm on Saturday, described the ordeal as “a terrifying experience” and “every parent’s worst nightmare.”
Jai Gudgion, Tower RNLI lifeboat helmsman, said: “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."
The boy was taken to the Royal London Hospital by ambulance to be treated for the hip injury.
Mr Gudgion added: “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: "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.”
