Floodgates trap Porsche in Sidmouth river

The extreme rainfall in Sidmouth has caught one driver out after a Porsche was left stranded in the ford this morning.

The heavy rainfall in Sidmouth caught one driver out today as this Porsche was left stranded in the ford. Picture by Alain Tolhurst - Credit: Archant

The owner of the £86,000 German super-saloon had to be rescued with ladders by fire crews after the black Panamera was blocked in by the Mill Street flood gates around 5.50am.

Witnesses say the sports car entered the River Sid from the Salcombe Road end, but having got through the rising waters became stuck at the other side after the town’s flood barrier was closed due to flood warnings.

News of the trapped Porsche prompted scores of onlookers at the ford this morning, after persistent heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours has seen the Environment Agency put Sidmouth on flood alert.

A spokesman for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said: “Two fire appliances from Sidmouth were mobilised to reports of a person stuck in their car in floodwater at Mill Street.

“Upon arrival crews confirmed one person was stuck in a car in floodwater. Crews set to work in dry suits to rescue the person from floodwater uninjured.”

Send us your photos of this morning’s wild weather in the Sid Valley to alain.tolhurst@archant.co.uk, and follow us on Twitter @sidmouthherald for the latest updates.