Four saved in flooding

Mar 17 2008 By Gary Marks

RESCUE teams saved four people stranded in cars in floodwater by the weekend's heavy rains.

In the first incident a water support unit from Solihull was brought in after three people were trapped in a taxi after it stalled crossing a fast-running ford in Icknield Street, in Kings Norton at about 2am yesterday.

No-one was injured and they were back on dry land by 4am.

Police closed off roads leading to the ford until flood waters subsided later yesterday.

In a second incident in nearby Primrose Hill an 85-year-old man drove into another ford at 10am yesterday, causing his car to stall.

Fire crews wearing survival suits entered the water and rescued the man because they were concerned about his safety and the water temperature.

He was treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to hospital for a checkup.

Archie Weldon, spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service, said: "We would strongly advise people not to drive cars through deep or standing water that is more than a couple of inches deep.

"If you're going to do it, then do it at an appropriate speed so you don't soak the electrics. If you do go through and you stall, ring emergency services who will come with appropriate equipment. But our strongest advice is not to enter running water."