FIRE crews pumped out around 30,000 litres of water from a stricken vessel in the Thames off Greenwich today.

The fire brigade was called to the scene near Creek Road at around 3.02pm.

A boat carrying around 190 tonnes of gravel was taking on water and firefighters had to assist.

By the time they arrived the vessel had taken on water to the depth of around 1 metre.

As well as the fireboat, four fire engines and around 20 firefighters from East Ham, Greenwich, Deptford and Stratford fire stations also attended.

The situation was dealt with by 5.05pm.