THE CREW of a river cruiser had a lucky escape when their craft became trapped and threatened to capsize close to a bridge on the River Ouse.

Traffic became gridlocked and crowds gathered along the riverside to watch rescue services battling to help free the boat during the two-and-a-half-hour drama in Selby.

The boat had become lodged by the current close to the bridge and was partly trapped under the bridge support, causing the boat to begin to tip on to its side.

"It was starting to list," said assistant divisional officer Jez Rushworth, of North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service.

"There was a danger of it flipping up, a real danger of the boat overturning, but using their legs the crew managed to push it enough to release it from the side, but you can see where the force of it all bent the board on the boat."

The incident happened at about 7.20 last night at Selby toll bridge. Traffic built up quickly as the bridge was closed for the rescue.

Three crew members, a woman and two men in their 50s crewed the 20ft boat, the Dawnbreaker.

At its height there were two fire engines, a police water rescue boat, police vans, ambulances and an emergency tender vehicle on the scene. Eyewitnesses counted at least 15 emergency services personnel.

"Our first concern was to make sure there was nobody in immediate danger, that no-one was going to fall in the river, and just to help with the situation," said Officer Rushworth.

After two-and-a-half hours of being stuck, the tide turned, releasing the pressure on the boat and allowing it to be towed by the water rescue unit back to the canal basin.

The town roads were gridlocked until after 9pm when the road across the bridge was reopened in both directions.

"It was a horrendous situation, the roads were blocked in the centre and backed right up the A19," said Sergeant Phil Mincher, of Selby Police.

The crowds along the river banks cheered when the boat was finally released.

Tony Burton overlooks the river and heard the commotion - and the bang - from his home.

"It was a real noise it made as it hit the side, so we came out to see what was going on.

"They were looking in real trouble at one point when it was starting to tip, but then it was freed, and they were just stuck there."

Updated: 10:09 Monday, July 14, 2003