Police duo rescue floodwater pensioners

TWO members of Acle's policing team took part in the rescue of an elderly brother and sister after their car had become trapped in floodwater, it emerged this week.

PC Ian Kennedy and PCSO Wally Oldham, of the local safer neighbourhood team, were heading off from the village police station when a passer-by told them that a Saab car had stopped in two feet of water under the Acle railway bridge.

They headed off in a police Land Rover to Reedham Road to discover the car, containing two Bradwell pensioners in their 70s, submerged up to bumper height.

The driver had got out and was wading through the water with his trousers rolled up to seek help, while his sister remained in the vehicle.

Borrowing Wellington boots from a nearby resident, PC Kennedy strode into the water with a passer-by to push the car further up the hill in the Acle direction. A towrope was then attached to the back of the Saab from the Land Rover so the police could complete the recovery process.

PCSO Oldham drove the woman passenger home to get warmed up while her brother waited with the flooded engine car to be recovered by the AA.

The two had been returning home after Sunday lunch with friends at Halvergate on January 17 but had decided to take a more scenic route rather than head down the Acle Straight.

PC Kennedy said motorists often had problems at the bridge, which tended to flood during heavy rainfall, as they under-estimated the depth of the water.

He added that flood warning signs had been put up, but many drivers had ignored the advice. However, the road had not been closed at that time.

The officer added: “We knew we had to get them out of the water and get them somewhere safe and dry. I always look at it that it is my duty to help people.”

PCSO Oldham said: “It was just a very satisfying job to be able to do something in that situation. We are there to help wherever we can and in any given situation.”