DRAMATIC scenes unfolded on the Thames on Sunday as search and rescue crews pull a colleague to safety from the icy water – but thankfully it was all part of an emergency drill.

Volunteer members of Bucks Search and Rescue (BSAR) put on a series of demonstrations for visitors to this weekend’s Marlow Carnival on the river opposite Higginson Park.

Over 100 people signed up for the workshops, which saw experts from the emergency response organisation teach a series of techniques and procedures in the event of falling in to water.

BSAR played a key part in the rescue effort during this year’s Marlow floods, spending four weeks on the ground on the front line of the relief effort.

And crews helped evacuate several households including a dramatic rescue to a stranded elderly man in need of hospital treatment.

Vice chairman Daniel Manion was one of the three water-based crew out on the boat for the rescue exercise along with Lorriane Burton and Chris Gee.

He said: “Throughout the day we has 30 to 40 people by the river banks and we showed people how we use our equipment to get people out of the water.

“At first it wasn’t actually that cold, but the water temperature dropped around 3pm and by then you could definitely feel it.

“Our aim was to educate people about how dangerous it can be, but also if someone fell in they might have no idea of how to get them out without danger and we show them should it ever happen.

“Only if even only some of those people take it in and could save someone then I would be pleased that it sunk in.

“In somewhere like Marlow live your life around the flow of the river and it’s good education about what to do and what not to do.”

The skills workshop showed onlookers the correct way to a rescue line into the water and techniques for pulling stranded people in to safety.

Mr Manion said the workshop was particularly poignant given the recent death of Marlow teenager Kyrece Francis in the Thames, and that the tragedy underlined the importance of the workshops.

It also raised much needed funds to help train and equip the volunteer force, which receives no government funding and has to fork out £400 just to suit up a water specialist.

The force, which has recently recruited and trained another five rescue members, is looking for donations or sponsorship to help pay for their equipment and a boat of its own ahead of the winter.

Established in 1987, BSAR assists emergency services with missing person searches, rescues and major incidents, as well as marshalling, first aid and communications duties.

For more information or to get in touch, visit www.bsar.org.uk