Actor Sid Owen, known for his role on the BBC soap opera EastEnders, has attributed the sinking of his 33-foot cruiser to a mechanical failure. The incident occurred near Sunbury Lock, where the vessel sustained significant damage after drifting into a tree, which tore a hole in the hull and allowed water to flood the boat.

Owen and a companion had recently invested approximately £30,000 in the vessel, named Rolling On The Thames, with the intention of leasing it to day-trippers. The boat was originally valued at around £115,000 when new. Following the collision, Owen was forced to abandon the craft as it became almost fully submerged.

The actor, who first appeared on EastEnders in 1988 and most recently departed in January 2023, maintained that a faulty fan belt caused the engine to fail, leading to the boat drifting uncontrollably into the riverbank. He said he left the vessel briefly to assist an elderly friend off the boat as quickly as possible.

However, witnesses reported seeing Owen exit the scene in a manner suggesting he might have been under the influence of alcohol. There is also an ongoing dispute between Owen and the previous owners regarding responsibility for the damage and reimbursement, with sources hinting that additional details about the incident have yet to emerge.

The Environment Agency is expected to impose a fine on the party deemed responsible for leaving a semi-submerged vessel unattended on the waterway. The engine of the boat was reportedly completely flooded, further complicating any potential repairs.

The circumstances surrounding the accident remain under scrutiny as parties involved negotiate over liability and costs.