River Thames boat latest news: Search for missing person launched after vessel carrying six capsizes

In a statement issued nearly three hours later, Surrey Police’s Elmbridge Beat said its officers had first been called at 8:50am.

The force pledged to update the public with further information as soon as was possible, as the search continued for the person still missing.

A Surrey Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson added: “Our crews are on site, working with the coastguard, Surrey Police and other agencies.

“Five individuals were rescued, and work is ongoing to locate a sixth.”

Members of the public have been urged to avoid the area at Sunbury Lock as police, paramedics and members of the Surrey Fire and Rescue service work to find the missing person.

Surrey Police said in a statement: “We are working to locate the outstanding person and will update you as soon as we have more information.

“Please avoid the area if possible.”

Three people have been taken to St Peter’s Hospital, the South East Coast Ambulance service told Surrey Live.

A spokesperson said paramedics had been “called to reports of a number of people in difficulty in the water at Sunbury Lock” just before 9am on Friday.

“Ambulance crews including our Hazardous Area Response Team attended the scene alongside police and fire service colleagues,” they said.

“Five people were brought to safety, three of whom have been taken to St Peter’s Hospital for further checks.”

A rescue mission is under way for a person missing after a boat capsized in the River Thames.

Six people are believed to have been on the small boat when it capsized near the island of Wheatleys Eyot, in Sunbury-on-Thames.

While five people have been safely located so far, one remains missing, Surrey Police said.