23/11/2012

Man Dies In Car Trapped By Flood Waters

A man has died after his car became trapped under a bridge by flood water.

The incident happened on Thursday night close to a ford in Chew Stoke, Somerset, eight miles south of Bristol.

Fire crews and police attended but could not save the man. Rescuers were waiting for the waters to retreat before retrieving the car.

The extreme weather conditions have continued to cause serious problems across the UK.

Nearby in Bath, there were problems for rush-hour commuters after a landslip made a street near the city centre impassable. More problems were also in store for train passengers, as Virgin Trains reported disruptions through Watford Junction, and in the north-west, north Wales and south-west Scotland, while South West Trains said there was "major disruption to west of England services caused by severe weather".

Southeastern also reported major disruptions on three lines.

On Thursday, homes and businesses were flooded, tens of thousands of pounds of damage was caused by high winds, and journeys by road and rail were disrupted as the UK was battered again by rain and gales.

A band of heavy rain accompanied by winds of 70mph moved across much of the country from the north-west, bringing with it chaos. Forecasters said there was likely to be a reprieve on Friday before another weather front arrives at the weekend, this time from the south-west. Next week it is likely to turn calmer but colder, and there could be snow on the way.

(H)


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