Dramatic Skirth rescue at Billinghay
S.A.M.S of Heckington removing the van from the Skirth at Billinghay after Mondays collision. Photo: S.A.M.S of Heckington
A 23-YEAR-OLD van driver had to be rescued from the Billinghay Skirth on Monday.
A passing driver, 25-year-old Richard Stainsby, from Stamford, witnessed the van leave the A153 at Billinghay and career down the bank into the rain-swollen river.
Due to heavy rain over the weekend, where a month’s worth of rain fell on Sunday alone, the road was very wet and the water in the Skirth was over eight feet deep.
Richard told how he saw the van veer off the road and into the water as he pulled out of Main Street in Billinghay.
He said: “The van hit the water quite hard and caused an almightly splash. It all happened so fast it seemed unreal.”
Richard immediately stopped his car next to the bank and saw that the driver had his window open and was trying to wriggle out.
He encouraged the driver to climb out of the window and start to swim towards him on the bank. When the driver reached the bank, Richard was able to help him up to the road side.
Emergency services then attended the incident after another passer-by called them to the scene. The van driver was taken to Lincoln County Hospital with neck and back injuries.
The vehicle, was later recovered from the Skirth.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, is asked to call Lincolnshire Police on 101, quoting incident 87 of April 30.
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Weather for Sleaford
Thursday 20 June 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 13 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West
