This story was literally observing history – a man wades across the River Humber for the first time in decades. It was quite the adventure as myself and the photographer were chased by a herd of cows in our efforts to get a good vantage point to see him actually reaching the southern shore of the river. It was even recreated years later in one of those infamous Top Gear races…

GRAHAM Boanas is the first person in more than 50 years to successfully walk across the River Humber.

Physically dragging himself through the thick, brown mud, to set foot on the south bank he was met with cheers from the 100-strong crowd which had gathered to watch his attempt.

The crossing took place yesterday at the time of one of the lowest tides of the year and it took less than two hours to make land, just outside the small village of Whitton.

Labour peer Lord Noel Buxton was the last person to walk across the River Humber was, back in 1953.

At the time, the walk – which took just over an hour – was described as a ‘sensation’ and deemed ‘the greatest ever locally-staged event’.

Mr Boanas (42) needed every inch of his 6ft 9ins frame to keep head and shoulders above the waterline and as soon as he landed he said he was feeling ‘emotional’.

The businessman, of Swanland, near Hull, was hoping to raise £25,000 for children’s charity, DebRA UK, which helps those who suffer from a rare, genetic skin blistering condition, Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB).

He said it was the thought of the children’s pain, which spurred him on through the last few muddy metres. “I was physically exhausted,” he said.

“The children were only thing that was driving me on, I was just thinking of the kids and the pain they go through everyday. I just had to battle on.”

He added it had taken a mammoth effort to make it across. “I’ve never been so tired in my life, but it was not for me, it was for the children, suffering from EB.”

The start of his walk was delayed because the helicopter, which was transporting him, could not land near to his starting point, Weighton Lock, near Broomfleet.

By 2.15pm the tide had dropped far enough for him to start wading through water channels, up to 4ft deep in parts and exposed mudflats.

It was carried out under the watchful supervision of Humber Rescue and people were advised not to attempt such a feat without professional help.

Mr Boanas’ brother-in-law, John Officer, said he had been a ‘little bit nervous’ before the attempt. “The thing is the heat,” he said. “He’s in a drysuit so he’ll be hot and need to take on fluid.”

Winteringham resident, Sandra Clayton (61), of Winteringham, still remembered Lord Buxton making the original crossing, when she was nine-years-old.

“He was a really big, tall man,” she said. “I remember a helicopter coming, it was there, waiting for him. It was probably one of the first times I’d seen a helicopter.

“I thought it was exciting and I have always thought it was something that was a bit special for the area.”

She added shortly afterwards the peer tried to cross the River Thames, but was unsuccessful.

“I can remember he had a wetsuit on and there was a great crowd of people out and it was well reported in the newspapers.”

From the Scunthorpe Telegraph on Monday, August 22, 2005.