WATER rescue teams, including a hovercraft and a helicopter, were called into action after a boat capsized in flood water near the River Severn.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service were called at 3.15pm by HM Coastguard stating that a boat had capsized in flood water and two people were clinging onto a tree, a third person was able to swim from the boat to a nearby public house at Chaceley and notified the emergency Services.

Two water rescue and two boat teams from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service were mobilised to Stock Lane, Chaceley in conjunction with two Rescue Boats from Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA).

A joint search operation was put into action utilising the Rescue Boat from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and the SARA boat from Tewkesbury.

The two casualties were located in the flooded lane and rescued by the Fire Service boat from Tewkesbury.

They were then handed over to South West Ambulance Service who took them to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital to treat them following exposure to the cold temperatures of the flood waters.

Initially, a Search and Rescue Helicopter from Portland Bill was also mobilised by HM Coastguard and a hovercraft from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service to assist with the rescue, they were stood down when the two people were located.

Boat crews also transported paramedics to assess the condition of the caller who swam from the boat, he was subsequently treated at the scene.

All appliances were at the scene for a total of 3 hours.