Home / Disasters and Accidents / Canal Breach: £100K Raised for Stranded Boat Owners
Canal Breach: £100K Raised for Stranded Boat Owners
2 Jan
Summary
- Over £100,000 raised for boat owners after canal breach.
- Breach on Llangollen Canal swallowed two boats, damaged a third.
- Repair work is expected to be a lengthy and costly undertaking.

A significant fundraising campaign has generated over £100,000 to aid boat owners affected by a major breach on the Llangollen Canal. The incident occurred on December 22, 2025, when a section of the canal wall collapsed, causing a catastrophic loss of water and swallowing two vessels, while a third was left in a precarious position.
The emergency response led to a major incident declaration as water flooded a nearby field, leaving a substantial trench. Fortunately, the Canal and River Trust has managed to refloat some stranded boats by refilling adjacent sections. However, the breach site itself requires extensive reconstruction.
Engineers are currently investigating the breach's cause before developing a plan for the significant, long-term task of rebuilding and reopening the canal. The community's response, spearheaded by YouTuber Paul Smith-Storey, has been overwhelming, providing essential aid to the displaced boaters.




