When a man’s oldest friend fell into the River Thames moments after his beloved dog ran away, could anyone rescue his two best pals?

It was a bitterly cold evening on 15 January when 75-year-old Russell Shaw gratefully handed over the dog lead to his friend Eddie Elgott. Eddie had offered to walk Russell’s four-legged friend Easy.

But as Eddie was walking alongside the River Thames, the dog (pictured right) spotted a squirrel in the distance and charged away from the path. Eddie struggled with the lead and slipped into the river’s fast, freezing waters. His shouts for help went unheard and 30 minutes had passed before some rowers spotted Eddie in the dark and dialled 999. He was quickly becoming hypothermic.

London Coastguard alerted Chiswick Lifeboat Station, where Helmsman Rob Archibald and his crew immediately rushed to the scene. Onboard was volunteer Crew Member John Pooley, an ex-paramedic who could see that Eddie was in a critical condition as they approached. ‘It was freezing. Any longer in the water and he wouldn’t have made it,' says John, who helped to pull Eddie aboard. The lifeboat crew medically assessed and stabilised Eddie, then rushed him to an ambulance crew who whisked him to hospital.

Meanwhile, Russell was horrified to hear what had happened to his two friends. He was very relieved to hear that Eddie was in safe hands, but feared that his dog had gone for good. ‘Easy and I have been through so much together. I couldn’t bear to lose him,’ explains Russell, who rescued Easy in 2009 from life on the streets of Turkey.

The Chiswick crew weren't prepared to abandon the dog, though. They returned to the riverbank after rescuing Eddie, and found Easy too. He was cold, wet, but very much alive. ‘The dog came back to the station with us – he was happy to have his nose in the biscuit tin!’ laughs John.

Meanwhile, Eddie was released from hospital that evening. ‘I can’t believe I nearly lost them,’ says Russell. ‘If it weren’t for the Chiswick RNLI lifeboat crew, I dread to think what would have happened to Eddie. When I found out they also rescued Easy and had him at the station, I was thrilled. They’re guardian angels!’