A DRUNKEN boat driver was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill after falling into the Bridgewater Canal in Lymm.

Cheshire Police were called to the scene, near to Boat Stage, at around 2.45pm yesterday, Wednesday.

Members of the public reported that a man had fallen from a canal boat into the water, after the ‘boatorist’ had been spotted zig-zagging along the course.

The 52-year-old, who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, managed to climb back aboard his boat before driving away in the direction of Thelwall.

However, officers caught up with the man and arrested him after discovering he was wanted by police in Derbyshire on suspicion of making threats to kill.

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An eyewitness said: “He was absolutely bladdered and was going underneath his boat – I started trying to talk to him thinking that he needed help, because it was getting quite serious.

“He was getting a bit aggressive, and a young lad was going to jump in to try and help him.

“It was getting a bit dangerous, but eventually a guy came over in his boat and pulled him out – but he jumped back in again.

“The police turned up about five minutes after he’d driven off in the boat towards Grappenhall, but he was only going at about 5mph.

“He was zig-zagging all the way down the canal and nearly took out another boat.”