Man dies following flash flooding in Shropshire
A man believed to be in his 60s has died after being swept away during flash flooding in south Shropshire this morning.
A search for the man at Bitterley, near Ludlow was launched at 10.30am involving the police, fire service and the Severn Area Rescue Association. The police helicopter and fire service boat were also called out.
Tragically, at about 11.45am the body of a man was found in the stream by police and fire officers. He was recovered from the water and pronounced dead by paramedics a short time later.
The Coroner for Shropshire, Mr John Ellery, has been informed.
The flash flooding follows a warning from the Met Office of heavy rain and thunderstorms sweeping across the county throughout today.
In the Bridgnorth area properties and roads have been affected by localised flooding.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service boats and Swift Water Rescue trained personnel, along with water first responders have been deployed in the area.
Two people were rescued from their cars after becoming stranded in floodwater on the A454 at Worfield, near Bridgnorth.
Police were alerted by several drivers at about 9.40am that road water levels along the stretch near The Wheel public house had risen rapidly, trapping at least two vehicles.
The driver of one car, a man in his 80s, had to be rescued by the firefighters after the water rose approximately three feet around his vehicle. He was checked over by paramedics at the scene but found to be unhurt.
Another car broke down trying to drive through the water further along the road and the woman assisted out by the fire service. She was also unhurt.
The flooding closed two schools in the county. Bitterly Primary School near Ludlow and Worefield Primary School.
