Firefighters were called to a skip lorry that had slipped from the roadway into Twickenham riverside.
The driver was trapped inside the vehicle due to the water.
Borough Commander John Snelgrove, who was at the scene, said: “The tide was at its highest point and the water was up to the driver’s side window and prevented him from leaving the vehicle.
"Firefighters secured the skip lorry to stop it from moving further into the water. Thankfully the local RNLI crews arrived and using a hammer from the fire engine broke the passenger’s side window and helped the man into the boat.
“Thankfully the man was uninjured. This unusual incident shows the breadth of work fire crews deal with and good partnership working with key partner agencies.”
The Brigade was called at 1517 and the incident was over for firefighters by 1556. Fire crews from Heston, Wimbledon and Twickenham fire stations attended.