Shropshire Star

Watch: Narrowboats remain stranded a week on from catastrophic north Shropshire canal collapse

New drone photos show narrowboats still stranded in a collapsed Shropshire canal a week after its 200-year-old embankment caved in.

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Emergency workers could be seen positioning boat turners on Monday morning (December 29) in a bid to winch the stranded boats to safety.

Photo: Emma Trimble/SWNS
Photo: Emma Trimble/SWNS

Workers began securing the ruined banks today, a week after they breached on December 22.

Emergency services were called to the Chemistry area of Whitchurch following the "significant breach" of the Llangollen Canal in the early hours of last Monday.

Ongoing work at the scene of the
Ongoing work at the scene of the collapse, pictured on December 29. Photo: Tim Thursfield

Two boats were engulfed by the 50 sq m hole that formed and remain inside, while a third was left perched on its edge. That boat, Pacemaker, has since been pulled back from the edge of the breach.

At least 10 people had to be rescued after the banks breached shortly after 4.40am.

A grounded boat at the scene of the canal collapse, pictured on December 29. Photo: Tim Thursfield
A grounded boat at the scene of the canal collapse, pictured on December 29. Photo: Tim Thursfield