Pensioner stranded in flood water leads to fresh warning to motorists (From Gazette & Herald)

Pensioner stranded in flood water leads to fresh warning to motorists

7:09pm Saturday 29th September 2012 in News By Jennifer Bell, jennifer.bell@thepress.co.uk

FIREFIGHTERS were called after a pensioner became stranded in four foot of flood water - leading to a fresh warning for motorists to avoid roads and bridges affected by flood water.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue's swift water rescue teams from Ripon and Selby  were called, in addition to a crew from Easingwold, after the man was stranded near Newton on Ouse shortly before 9am today.

North Yorkshire Police's Assistant Chief Constable, Iain Spittal, said: "A man got into difficulties after travelling through flood water and the emergency services came to his aid.

"The last thing I want to happen after the efforts of all the agencies who have worked tirelessly to keep everyone safe this week, is for someone to lose their life after ignoring a road or bridge closed sign.

"Staff from North Yorkshire County Council and the City of York Council are working throughout the weekend to get roads open as quickly as possible.

"Engineers also need to check bridges to ensure they are structurally sound. So if you see a bridge closed sign, even if it looks clear, it may not be safe.

"So please wait until the bridge has been given the all clear by engineers and has been re-opened.

"It is simply not worth risking your life or the lives of your rescuers to save a few minutes of journey time."