Staines boat club's new rescue catamaran named after hero

After the boat collapsed, Mr Choules, who was a 29-year-old policeman at the time, held the young cox's head above the water while they went through the weir, but by the time a rescue party reached them Mr Choules had disappeared.

Mr Twaddle said: "I suggested to the club committee that we name our new launch after Alan and they agreed it would be fitting. The launch was named by one of Alan's daughters and his brother, watched by Alan's wife, other daughter, grandchildren and a large number of Staines Boat Club members."

After the accident, Mr Choules was awarded a posthumous award by the Royal Humane Society along with a Carnegie Hero Trust Fund Award.

Two other Staines rowers, David Firman, and Allan Wickens, also died in the incident.

Two other boats were also named on the day, including a double scull called Bryan Griffin, a long-term club member who died at the end of 2008, and another rescue catamaran named after Jeremy Pollen, a current member who puts a lot of spare time into the club.