Accident on the Thames

My father, now deceased, was in a reserved occupation and in 1943 he was working from scaffold painting one of the bridges over the Thames. There were Thames waterbotman below as a safety measure.
One day whilst working, my father heard a shout and a gun shot from the river bank. He saw that a prisoner under military escort had broken free, and the MPs were chasing him.
At this same time, a chap working with my father slipped an fell into the river. Unfortunately no one except my fahter saw thsi happen as everyone was distracted by the events on the bank side.

Despite my fathers calls, the river boatmen did not respond in time and the guy died.

Later my father was called as a witness to the court poceedings in the strand by the guys widow. I understand that she was awarded substantial damages, largely based upon my fahters testimony to the court.

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