Bar worker saves tourists from Thames plunge

A bar worker at the Walkabout bar in London's Temple has helped save the lives of two Spanish tourists after they fell into the Thames.

Ruben Cortecero, originally from Madrid and off-duty at the time, jumped into the river to help two men who were heard screaming for help after getting caught in the river's current at about 1.30am on Tuesday, according to the London Evening Standard. The two men, who are also from Madrid, had been in the Walkabout bar earlier.

Medics said Cortecero had probably saved the tourists' lives, although had endangered his own in doing so.

The incident happened after one of the men reportedly fell into the river after jumping on the wall next to the Victoria Embankment, after which the second man jumped in to save him. Both then got caught in the current and were seen clinging to the wall as 21-year-old Cortecero came to their aid, firstly trying to throw them a life ring, and then jumping in to help the men cling on.

All three were later pulled from the water by an RNLI lifeboat and treated by medics at the scene.

In a statement to the newspaper, Johnstone described Cortecero as "the type of guy who if he sees someone in trouble [will] jump in to help".

She told The Caterer today that Cortecero had done a "good thing", was well, and had returned to work.

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