'˜Heroic' police officers rescue two from fast flowing water in Crowborough

PC Ross Banks and PC Ross Burke were on duty during heavy storms in the early hours of Thursday, June 23.

Concerned by the extreme weather conditions the officers decided to check a ford in Jarvis Brook, where drivers are known to have been tempted to drive through during heavy rain.

Just as the officers arrived at the location in Palesgate Lane, at around 12.30am, a Vauxhall Zafira people carrier appeared on the other side of the ford . Police say the driver apparently decided to drive through the water. Almost immediately the car got stuck, trapping its two occupants.

The officers immediately grabbed a rescue line and managed to rescue both occupants seconds before the vehicle was swept away downstream, finally coming to rest against a concrete footbridge where it remained for several days until it could be recovered.

Sergeant Alex Tombling said: “It is clear that from using their local knowledge, gained over many years on the ground, and being in the right place, their heroic actions prevented this from having a potentially tragic ending.”

Palesgate Lane was closed to traffic to prevent further problems and did not re-open until almost 24 hours later when the water had receded to a safe level.

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