Car rescue crew pulled more than bins during floods

Buy photos » Rugby Borough Council leader Craig Humphrey thanks trade waste crew Neal Roberts centre and Dave Swaden for rescuing a car trapped in flood water. (s)

BINMEN have been thanked for going beyond the call of duty to rescue a car trapped in flood water in Wolston.

Neal Roberts and Dave Swaden came across a car which had become stuck in deep water shortly before the bridge between Wolston and Brandon last week.

The pair acted beyond their usual duties and towed the car free, making sure its owner got it back and could arrange for it to be recovered.

Rugby Borough Council leader, Craig Humphrey, was quick the praise the actions of the resourceful duo.

"We always try to help people within the resources we have available to us, and it was pleasing to see Neal and Dave apply this approach on the ground," he said.

"It is clearly not in our crew's job description to help stranded motorists, but that is the job that needed doing on Friday and I would like to record my thanks to Neal and to Dave for using their common sense and just getting on with it."

Other crews from the council's street scene team worked alongside the Environment Agency to keep drains and ditches clear and free-flowing, and also delivered sand bags to parish councils as part of their emergency plans.

Coun Dr Mark Williams, Rugby's environment spokesman, said: "Floods can rise very quickly and with little warning, so it is important residents and parish councils are aware of the risks in their own communities and make sure they are ready.

"We recently ran a workshop with parish councils to help them with their emergency plans, and while we hope they will never be needed it was good to be able to test these plans over the last few days."

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