A WELL-known West Oxfordshire businessman is recovering after suffering extensive burns in a Bank Holiday accident, that saw his powerboat explode on the River Thames.
John Bond-Smith, 66, was in his 28ft Seamaster powerboat close to The Ferryman Inn, Bablockhythe, when it caught fire on Monday afternoon.
He dived headfirst into the water to escape the flames, which badly burned his arms and torso.
Mr Bond-Smith, of Standlake, was grabbed by a local resident and passer-by and hauled to safety on the river bank, and neighbours rushed to help treat his burns with cold water.
Flames leapt up to 20ft high, and a black plume of smoke billowed up to 100ft in the air, as fire crews battled for more than half an hour to extinguish the blaze and stop other boats moored nearby from catching light.
Mr Bond-Smith, director of West Oxfordshire Motor Auction, in Witney, suffered burns to his torso and arms.
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Speaking to the Witney Gazette, he said: "I was starting up the gas fridge and pushed the button, but nothing happened. I held the gas in again, and then heard a 'whoosh'.
"The next thing I knew flames were all over the place.
"I threw one of the gas canisters into the water, and looked for the fire extinguisher, but everything was alight, and I had no time to think.
"So I jumped headfirst out of the boat into the water through the canvas back.
"It was amazing and lucky the canvas was open.
"I swam out of the way of the flames, and some kind people helped me out the water.
"I am lucky and so grateful for those people who put cold water on my burns, and I owe the fact I am not seriously burnt to them."
Married Mr Bond-Smith is a former racing driver and governor at Cokethorpe School, in Ducklington.
His £15,000 powerboat was regularly moored at the river bank near The Ferryman Inn - and had only recently been serviced.
Peter Kelland, manager of The Ferryman Inn, said: "It just went up in flames, and there was a plume of black smoke, which must have been 100 feet in the air. It must have been burning for about half an hour."
Bob Thorp, 66, of Thameside Residential Caravan Park, helped Mr Bond-Smith climb on to the bank.
He said: "He was very lucky he could jump into the cold water. I think that saved him from serious injury."
Resident Eric Chapman, 77, said: "There was a big explosion, and next thing we saw flames shooting into the air."
Neighbour Mervyn Swinford, 75, said: "He was in shock.
"His boat went up in flames very quickly, and it came very close to some of the other boats."
Four fire crews tackled the blaze, but could not prevent the boat from sinking.
An air ambulance and road ambulance were at the scene, and Mr Bond-Smith was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford - but released later the same day.
The Environment Agency has been to the river testing if any pollutants have escaped into the water, but the boat has yet to be removed.
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