Boaters stranded for Christmas after canal collapse
Christmas Heartbreak: Llangollen Canal Breach Leaves Boaters Homeless
A catastrophic embankment failure on the Llangollen Canal in Whitchurch, Shropshire, has left hundreds of boaters stranded and several families homeless just days before Christmas. The breach occurred in the early hours of Monday, 22 December 2025, near the New Mills Lift Bridge, creating a massive crater and draining a six-mile stretch of the waterway.
Engineers have confirmed that a 200-year-old artificial embankment collapsed, sending millions of litres of water surging into nearby fields. While emergency services declared the major incident phase over on Tuesday, the long-term impact on the "liveaboard" community is devastating.
Narrow Escapes and Lost Homes
Approximately 15 people were rescued from their vessels as the water levels plummeted. Witnesses described the sound of the breach as "like Niagara Falls" or a "bomb going off."
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Tumbling into the Trench: Two narrowboats were washed into the 15-foot-deep (4-metre) trench created by the collapse. A third boat was left precariously teetering on the edge, with its wooden hull creaking as the ground shifted beneath it.
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The "Titanic" Scene: Boater Phil Johnson described the back of one boat rising into the air "like a scene from the Titanic film" as the bow sank into the mud.
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Geoff and Pamela Poole: The American couple, who recently retired and moved to the UK to live their dream on the water, were moored just three boats away. They awoke at 4:20 AM to find their boat listing heavily and their Christmas decorations—including a handmade wreath and a tree with broken ornaments—scattered across the floor.
Christmas Plans in Ruins
For many who live on the canal full-time, the boat is not just a hobby but their only home. The breach has effectively split the canal community in two.
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Stranded and Trapped: Boaters are now stuck either on the Llangollen side of the breach or the side connecting to the Shropshire Union Canal.
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Evacuations: Families like the Pooles are spending Christmas in local hotels. Others, like Phil Johnson, refuse to leave their vessels for fear of looters or further damage to their remaining personal belongings.
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Community Spirit: Despite the tragedy, the local community in Whitchurch has rallied. Local residents have offered keys to spare flats, and Norbury Wharf has provided emergency support and welfare services for those displaced.
