Rescue

Fire Control received a call from distressed elderly occupants of a vehicle trapped in flood water.

1 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.

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.  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 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.