Man Saved After Spending 10 Hours Trapped In Tractor During Flood In Wales

Описание: A tractor driver has been saved after spending over 10 hours trapped in his vehicle during a flood in Wales.

The incident took place near the village of Llandrinio in the Welsh county of Powys on 22nd February.

Dyfed-Powys Police said in a statement on 25th February: “David Jones, aged 64, from Acton Burnell, near Shrewsbury, became trapped in the water on his way to a quarry near Llandrinio to collect stone at around 7.30am on Tuesday, 22 February.”

The River Severn had burst its banks in the area following Storm Eunice and Storm Franklin.

The police said: “With Mr Jones trapped in a secluded lane, hoping and waiting for rescue, the alarm was only raised at 3.40pm when colleagues became concerned he hadn’t returned to the yard.

“They reported him missing to Dyfed-Powys Police, which led to emergency services springing to action with partnership working between police, NPAS and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, finding him marooned in his tractor.”

Jones said: “I was going through the water and it started getting deeper and deeper, so I had to stop or the water could have damaged the engine.”

He added that his mobile phone batter was flat, adding: “I just had to wait for someone to come looking for me.

“I didn’t turn the radio on because I was worried about the electrics. I had my lunch with me so I was okay for food.

“Everyone did an excellent job to find me, it was a big relief to see the helicopter.”

Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Police had found a social media post of flooding that appeared to show a tractor in the distance, surrounded by flood water.

“Officers then used what3words – a website that pinpoints locations – to guide the NPAS helicopter to Mr Jones.”

Inspector Darren Brown said: “The tractor and trailer were located from photos and from a whats3words location.

“There had been no contact throughout the day, so we didn’t know if he was safe.

“We called in NPAS to get as close to tractor as possible to look inside. They saw a reflective jacket and movement, so confirmed somebody was inside.”

The fire department was then called to take Mr Jones to safety.

Andrew Richards, West Wales Fire and Rescue Service Station Manager, said: “Our crews worked tirelessly over the weekend and into the early part of this week in responding to the regional flooding brought about by Storm Eunice and Storm Franklin.

“Thanks to the support of the police helicopter that located the tractor within the floodwater, our Swift Water Rescue Team we were then able to deploy and access the vehicle and rescue the gentleman using a boat.”