RNLI crew scrambled after Harris hawk found distressed in Thames

A lifeboat crew launched a dramatic rescue after a Harris's Hawk was spotted struggling in the Thames.

The RNLI Tower crew dashed to Embankment Pier after the bird of prey was seen in distress.

It is not known how the bird got into difficulty, but Cleo the Hawk was quickly taken to safety.

Steve King, helm at Tower RNLI lifeboat station, said: "We see all manner of injuries when we launch our lifeboats to people in distress, but rarely do we get casualties of this kind.

“We don't know how the bird got into difficulty in the first place – but we are delighted to have been of assistance.”

The crew were able to return Cleo the Hawk back to its relieved and grateful owners.

Harris's Hawks are native to the Americas, and are usually only spotted in the UK if they have escaped from captivity.

In November, Waterloo station employed one of the majestic birds to scare off pigeons following a spate of complaints from angry passengers.

They have also been used to remove the pesky birds from Trafalgar Square and the tennis courts at Wimbledon.