Olympic rower Jack Beaumont reported a frightening encounter with a motorboat on the River Thames on Sunday. Beaumont, a silver medallist in the men’s quadruple sculls at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, described the motorboat captain's behavior as erratic and threatening as the vessel approached him and other rowers.
Thames Valley Police have released a 67-year-old man on bail following his arrest on suspicion of criminal damage, threats to kill, common assault, and operating a watercraft in a dangerous manner. Beaumont, a member of Maidenhead Rowing Club, was on the river shortly after 7 a.m. when he noticed the motorboat heading towards two oncoming sculls with club members.
Beaumont called out to the motorboat operator, who then turned towards him. He expressed concern for the safety of himself and the other rowers, stating, 'I was worried he was going to ram into me.' He described the situation as frightening due to the unpredictable actions of the motorboat captain.
During the incident, one of the rowers managed to avoid a collision, while another boat made contact with the motorboat. Beaumont reported that the motorboat captain shouted and swore at him, creating a tense situation. He stated, 'I was quite concerned because of the way he was speaking to them. I was quite afraid he might hurt them.'
Footage of the incident, reported by the Daily Mail, shows the motorboat owner shouting at Beaumont. The police have requested witnesses to come forward with any footage of the incident. The Maidenhead Rowing Club condemned the behavior exhibited by the motorboat captain, stating that such actions are 'entirely unacceptable' and that they will not tolerate any behavior that endangers their members or other river users.