Drivers rescued after getting stuck in flood water

Motorists are being warned about the dangers of driving through flood water after several of them had to be rescued at the weekend.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service said it was called out to help trapped drivers near Billericay, Great Easton, Matching Green near Harlow, and Henham on Sunday afternoon and into the night.

Some of those stuck had to be rescued using sleds or an inflatable raft.

The fire service said on its Facebook page on Sunday night: "With more rain forecast over the next 24 hours, please take extra care on the county's roads."

The first motorists were saved from Church Lane, Ramsden Crays, Billericay on Sunday at about 14:15 GMT.

"Crews from Billericay, two from Basildon and the county fire service's urban search and rescue team attended and found a car trapped in floodwater, with water up to the wheel arch. They used an inflatable raft to rescue the driver by 2:43," a spokesman said.

Shortly before 16:30 they were called to a car stuck in flood water in Hull Green, Matching Green. Crews took almost 90 minutes to rescue the driver using a sled.

At Great Easton ford crews found a car stranded in 0.6m (2ft) of water with the driver trapped inside and helped him to safety shortly before 18:00.

The final flood rescue of the night was in North Road, in Henham at about 22:30. Crews helped two people trapped inside their car in flood water.

The fire service warned: "If you come across a flooded road, turn around and find another route.

"Remember, just 2ft of water is enough to float a car. It's not worth risking your life and damaging your vehicle."

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