Environment Agency staff have called in the help of divers to try to get a capsized boat on the River Thames afloat.

EA staff tried to pump out the overturned narrowboat which has crashed into Botley bridge without success.

Today they plan to bring in divers and use flotation bags to right the vessel.

EA spokesman Dan Taylor said: "The pumping has not worked so divers will arrive tomorrow afternoon to help with the operation.

"We hope the flotation bags will give it enough lift that we can avoid having to use a crane.

"It's a heavy vessel - 20 to 25 tonnes and when it is filled with water it is even heavier.

"We are keeping the owner of the boat informed about what's happening - yes it's an obstruction to navigation but we are also mindful of the fact that the boat is someone's home."

EA waterways manager Russell Robson said earlier that a crane could be brought in at the weekend if other options failed.

The canal boat capsized on Monday night after it became untied from its mooring and collided into another.

Oxford Mail:

Envrionment Agency operations manager Peter Collins said: "If we can't pump the water out of the boat we may have to pull it out with a crane, which would mean the closure of Botley Road."

The Environment Agency has already secured the safety of another boat which also crashed into the bridge.

Mr Collins said he would urge boat-owners to see this is a lesson for the future.

He said: "It is likely that this situation is partly down to the bad weather but it still serves as a lesson for boat-owners to ensure the safety of their boats.

"More often that not, boat-owners do not take enough care in tying up their boats.

"The man who owns this boat has potentially lost his home and it's going to cost thousands of pounds to repair."

Auria Dee, a spokeswoman for the Environment Agency, said yesterday that two staff had been at the scene over night to make sure the boats stayed secure.

She added: "The Environment Agency has had two officers at Botley Bridge over night to ensure the two boats stayed secure.

"We have additional staff there this morning (Tuesday).

"We are warning boaters and the general public not to attempt to navigate in this area, as the boats are creating a hazardous river condition.

"The waters upstream have a stronger draw than usual, and there is turbulent water downstream.

"We are currently working with the owner and our partners to determine the best way to have the boats removed.

"The footpath has been closed for the safety of members of the public as there are taut ropes running from the vessels to trees to keep them secure.

"In light of this incident, we would remind boaters that they check their moorings to ensure their boats are secure at all times."

The two boats became untied due to to bad weather but then one became partially submerged and blocking the river width-ways. 

Oxford Mail:

Four fire engines and two police cars were called to the scene at 2.45pm but noone was injured. 

The incident caused a build-up of traffic on Botley Road extending from Lamarsh Road to George Street and all along the A420 towards Abingdon Road. 

Oxford Bus Company was also unable to serve passengers at Oxford train station due to the build up of traffic.

Instead, the 500 bus service is being diverted via Hythe Bridge Street to take passengers from the station into the city. 

Oxford Mail:

Fire officer and station manager Simon Belcher said: "The two boats somehow became untied perhaps because of the wind or the bad weather and crashed into the bridge. 

"Thankfully no one was on the boats at the time so it meant that there were no injuries and noone to treat.

"This is a bit of an unusual case for all of us to be called for and it's going to take some planning with the Environment Agency to resolve it.

"We'll need to work with them to sort it out."

"We have secured the boats with rope so they cannot slip any further."