Four members of the public who helped an older woman trapped in her car by flood water have been rewarded for their bravery with a Letter of Congratulations from the Brigade's Sutton Borough Commander Kevin Biggs.
Mrs Judy Emmett, 88, from Oswestry, was driving underneath a railway arch along Manor Road, Wellington on 20 July 2007, when she suddenly became in desperate need of help.
Unfamiliar with the area and unaware of the depth of water ahead, Mrs Emmett attempted to drive through it only to find her vehicle floating and then rapidly sinking in around eight feet of water - which had gathered after the flash floods that hit parts of London and southern England. Mrs Emmett froze in shock at the sudden threat to her life.
Local barber Evan Jaffer Mahamod was the first to react, entered the water, swam to Mrs Emmett's car and tried to release her from the vehicle.
He was quickly joined in the water by electricians John Lord and David Turco who between them managed to release Mrs Emmett - just before the car became submerged. With the help of Nathan Poole, who had also entered the water to assist when he saw what was happening, the four managed to lift Mrs Emmett to the safety of a nearby public house.
Although cold, wet and shocked, Mrs Emmett was unharmed and attended a presentation to three of her rescuers of the Letter of Congratulations, made by the Mayor of Sutton on 1 November at Sutton Civic Centre. Nathan Poole was unable to attend but has also received the award.
Sutton Borough Commander Kevin Biggs, said: “All four of these men showed great community spirit. The Brigade was not called but I wanted their actions recognised formally by the service. Their presence of mind and bravery when faced with this unusual and frightening emergency prevented any loss of life or serious injury.”
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