The BBC reports
A family had to be rescued from their sinking car after it became trapped in flood water as it was being driven under a railway bridge in Essex.
The Mitsubishi Pajero, driven by Scott Swinford, 30, of Southend, who had three children on board, was hit by the rising waters on Spa Road, Hockley.
“As I put the car into reverse the current of the floodwater just lifted us further in,” Mr Swinford said.
I thought the motion of the wheels would drag us out, but we just started sinking?
Heavy flooding caused major disruption in south Essex throughout Saturday.
Essex Fire and Rescue dealt with more than 300 calls for help as the result of floods.
Mr Swinford was returning from Rayleigh Weir with his eight-year-old son Reece, his niece Jessica, 6, and four-year-old nephew Alfie.
The group was rescued by friends Hannah King and Emma Burles, from Hockley, and three boys who had gone to watch the floods….
Well done to the rescuers! You can see the video on You-tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6WGVGrtCWc
Hat-tip: Graham Osborn
Was amazed how many “sightseers” were driving around looking at the latest floods in rayleigh on 24th august 2013. They were driving to fast and consequently causing more flood water to be swept onto peoples property! Thankfully the community spirit was amazing and people really helped each other out. The people driving around where an absolute hindrance!
Well said John. We had properties in Hawkwell which we think were flooded by the bow waves created by motorists when the flood was at its highest. The “Brook” was running 6/7 feet higher than normal and had breached the banks charging through gardens on to Rectory Road. When asked why they drove that fast through the flood they explained that if they drove slowly then water could enter the exhaust or air intake. In the end residents with the verbal agreement of the Police used bins to halt the traffic and ask them to not proceed because of the risk of increasing the flooding to property. Many just drove round them onto the pedestrian footway or just knocked the bins out of the way. Having said that some did respect their “neighbours” requests.
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What sort of people want to drive around to look at other people’s misfortunes……
John & Cllr John Mason
I am amazed that so few know how to drive in inclement conditions, whether flood or snow. If not already, they ought to be mandatory questions in the driving theory test.
I was taught, if driving through flood water was unavoidably necessary, to select bottom gear and proceed at a slow pace by modulating the clutch whilst keeping engine revolutions up, and if in any doubt as to the depth do not proceed. Be especially cautious of flowing water, as even a few inches of fast flowing water can sweep people off their feet and very little more can sweep even large 4x4s away. Too many seem to think charging through is the way, but apart from exacerbating the flood effects that simply builds the observed bow waves which probably enter the engine compartment and may well kill the engine leaving the vehicle stranded.
Good news in the ECHO tonight , £1.8million being made available to Hockley in order to resolve Flooding issues – now remind me again , who is the leading light of the RDC Flood Forum and just happens to be a Hockley Councillor….?