Coventry Oxford Canal blocked by sunken narrowboat as people urged 'avoid'

[dutchman]

Firefighters were called to the Oxford Canal at around 10am yesterday morning (February 16)



A sunken narrowboat has blocked a major waterway in Coventry. Firefighters were called to the Oxford Canal on Sunday.

Crews said they were dispatched to the Oxford Canal to search the sunken narrowboat at around 10am yesterday (February 16). Images posted on X showed the vessel partially submerged.

CoventryLive understands that the large blue-coloured narrowboat has been blocking the Oxford Canal since Saturday (February 15). Nobody needed to be rescued.

Boaters have been warned to 'avoid' the Oxford Canal. Officials at the Canal and River Trust have informed the narrowboat owner, who said they will move the vessel today (February 17).

A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: “We have been in attendance at Oxford Canal, Coventry, to search a sunken barge. Canal and River Trust have been informed. We do not know when it will be moved, and we have left the scene.”

In a statement to CoventryLive, the Canal and River Trust said: “We are aware of the sunken narrowboat currently blocking the Oxford Canal in Coventry, and we appreciate the efforts of West Midlands Fire Service in assessing the situation.

“We understand the disruption this may cause to boaters and other waterway users. We advise people to follow local safety guidance and avoid the area where possible.”