A “distressed” elderly couple have been rescued from their car after becoming trapped by flood water in North Devon this morning, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have said. The first rescue attempt failed as the crew were unable to reach the vehicle safely, with multiple teams eventually rescuing the pair from the vehicle in Ashreigney.
A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: “Fire Control received a call from distressed elderly occupants of a vehicle trapped in flood water. [One] fire engine from Witheridge, 1 from South Molton, the Tactical Rescue Team from Barnstaple, a Water Incident Manager and an Operational Assurance Officer were all sent to the location [sic].
“The elderly occupants, were trapped within their car in fast flowing and fast rising water. The Control Operator stayed on the call with the couple giving advice and reassurance for some time until the arrival of the crews.”
At first, the crew could not safely reach the couple: “During this time, the water had risen substantially and the couple were sat in their vehicle, almost up to their chests in icy cold water, it was not safe for them to leave the vehicle due to the fast flow of the water outside of it. Once in attendance, crews donned their dry suits to make an attempt at a rescue. Due to the flowing water, crews were unable to reach the vehicle safely and had to await the arrival of the team from Barnstaple with their boat.”
The statement continued: “The boat was launched and both elderly occupants were rescued from their vehicle and taken to dry land where they were checked over by Ambulance Crews. The occupants were uninjured but were suffering with effects of the cold.
“The elderly couple remained calm throughout the incident, considering the frightening conditions they were in.”
The shocking incident took place in the midst of a number of flood alerts throughout the South West. There is also a yellow weather warning for rain in place until 9am tomorrow (Monday, January 6).
The public is advised against walking, driving or cycling through floodwater. It is also not advised to walk on low-lying footpaths near bodies of water affected by flooding.