Drivers rescued as Storm Bram leads to flooding and fallen trees

A driver has been pulled from their submerged car after being swept 50m (164ft) downstream from a flooded ford following Storm Bram.

A member of the public came to the driver’s rescue at Moyles Court Ford, north of Ringwood, Hampshire, at about 08:00 GMT.

Four people were also pulled from their vehicles in Thornford, north Dorset, after multiple cars became stuck on a flooded road.

Floodwater and fallen trees have been causing travel disruption across the region throughout the night and on Tuesday morning.

Hampshire’s fire service said it cordoned off the ford at Moyles Court and the driver was given emergency treatment at the scene.

Hampshire Constabulary said the driver “only had their front tyres in and was in process of reversing” when the power of the water swept the vehicle away.

Crews from Dorset and Somerset were called at about 07:50 GMT to Longford Road, Thornford, where several cars had entered the water. The road remains closed.

A tree that was blocking Station Road in Moreton has since been cleared.

In West Bay, Dorset, the Esplanade has been closed while storm barriers are in place between West Cliff Road and Quayside.

There were also long delays in Boundary Lane in St Leonards due to flooding at Wayside Road.

In Hampshire, the underpass on the A3 slip road at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, between Waterlooville and Petersfield, is submerged.

Hampshire County Council urged visitors arriving from the Portsmouth direction to use the Buriton turn off and re-join the A3 southbound to access the park.