Radio Host Rescued from River After Trying to Save Dog from Drowning: ‘I Was Getting a Bit Panicky’

A British radio host has been dubbed a hero without a cape after attempting to save a dog from a river.

Jordan North, who hosts Capital Breakfast, was running along the banks of the River Thames in London on Monday, Dec. 16, at around 4 p.m. local time when he noticed a Labrador “struggling” to swim in the water.

Speaking on Capital the following day, the 34-year-old revealed to his co-hosts Siân Welby and Chris Stark that his attempt to save the dog ended with him having to be rescued by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

“I run in London just past where Fulham plays football so right on the River Thames. And there’s this woman who’s looking a bit distressed,” North said in a clip shared on Instagram by the radio station. “Loads of people looking over the edge. I took my headphones out and was like ‘What’s going on here?’ There’s this dog that’s basically drowning.”

North went on to share that he spotted a “6-foot gate” which he climbed over and then walked to the end of a small jetty with the hopes of saving the dog.

“The dog’s struggling, the tide was so strong,” he continued. “Every time I’m just about grab him, the current is taking him.”

The radio host then had to ask the crowd that was gathered to alert the coastguard for help, joking that it was “like a Coldplay gig” as everyone lit up their phones to indicate to them where he and the dog were as the coastguard was unable to find them.

According to Sky News, it took three minutes for the crew from the RNLI to complete the rescue, with North revealing two boats had to be used.

“A big thank you and a massive shout out to RNLI Chiswick who came and rescued me because I was getting a bit panicky,” North said on his radio show.

“I was getting a bit nervy as well because I thought my legs are going to go, I can’t hold on much longer so they got there just in time,” he added. “The real heroes here are the RNLI who came out and got me, put a blanket round me. They’re the heroes.”

A video shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) by the RNLI captured the moment North and the dog were brought to safety.

“That’s what’s his name off the radio, isn’t it?” a member of the crew can be heard saying.

North had the dog on his lap when Thames Commander Gavin Simmons, Sid Blake, Tom Coe and Cameron Crawley arrived at the scene.

The RNLI has urged people to call the emergency services and ask for the coastguard rather than get into the water if they spot an animal in trouble.

North’s actions divided opinion, with some labeling him a hero, while others argued it was a waste of coastguard time and could inspire copycat behavior.

Speaking on Capital on Wednesday, Dec. 18, he told co-host Chris Stark that the situation was “blow out of proportion” with even his mom Wendy calling him to complain that he “could have drowned” trying to save the dog.