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Picture taken by Mark Jones of Woodley
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Car stuck in Lands End ford

January 13, 2011

The fire brigade has issued a warning about the danger of driving into the ford at Lands End near Charvil after another motorist got stuck this morning.

Fire fighters were called this morning, but because the driver of the car was out of his vehicle and safe, he was advised to contact his own vehicle recovery service.

He got stuck in the ford where the Old River crosses Park Lane at 7.30am this morning.

Spokeswoman for Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service Nicole Targett said: “It is beyond comprehension that people are still trying to drive through the ford.

“The marker post shows the water is 3ft to 4ft deep and there is a sign warning people. And yet drivers are still trying to drive through.

“This is the third incident we have been informed of in the last 10 days.

“We only go out to remove the vehicle if there is someone trapped in it or if there is something on the vehicle that is an environmental risk.

“There is a strong current running though this ford.

“Last year, the fire crews risked their own lives to save a woman who nearly drowned.

“You don’t just risk losing your vehicle when you drive through it like this, you are risking your life.”

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Why don't the insurers spend a few quid and put up signs saying YOUR INSURERS WILL NOT PAY OUT IF YOU ARE DAFT ENOUGH TO DRIVE INTO A SWOLLEN RIVER

Electric Fishcake, 51.45352, -0.963009
01/07/2011 at 16:00

The clue's in the name - Lands End ford

Caney's Bottom
14/01/2011 at 09:58

@fed up, I suspect the AA are more than used to the call, the 2 AA guys who turned up had AA wetsuits..

mj_blue
13/01/2011 at 16:00

Well I passed the junction of Park Lane and Waingels Road earlier and there are signs saying "FLOOD" and "ROAD CLOSED" (not to mention "pub open as usual"), so if anyone else goes down there and gets stuck they should just leave them to it and let them suffer the consequences of there own stupidity.

Twyford, Woodley
13/01/2011 at 13:13

I think the fire brigade were hoping that leaving the car in the water would put off other idiots attempting to drive through.

Lands End ford needs a life sized concrete car placed at the deepest part of the crossing. That should put off any idiots that can't be bothered to look at the depth marker.

Just like the concrete cows in Milton Keynes - but more useful.

New Punalot, Earley, Reading
13/01/2011 at 12:46

Make these idiots pay for costs incurred by the rescue services for fishing them out!!! Some responsibility needs to be taken by those stupid enough to attempt crossing what is essentially a river in flood.

Just how short of gray matter does one have to be to even attempt it?

Stupid deserves what stupid gets. Make them pay!!

Dave Smith
13/01/2011 at 12:45

Would love to know at exactly what point going into the ford that these retards realise that perhaps it isnt a good idea. Do people have to go in so deep that the water level is touching the wing mirror before realising they just might not reach the other side !!!

fanny hare, reading
13/01/2011 at 12:33

Please can GetReading interview the drivers so we can have some idea what compels people to try to drive through.

That's Just Spiffy
13/01/2011 at 12:10

Most probably listening to his Satnav!

dodger, south oxfordshire
13/01/2011 at 12:02

I have to support the Fire Brigade on their policy - as long as you're safe, it's up to you to get your car/vehicle back! That's going to be an interesting call to the AA (other recovery organisations are available) ;-)

To those who say the road should be closed - according to other commentators there are great big signs and barriers saying "ROAD CLOSED" and "ROAD FLOODED" along with a huge fast flowing puddle in front of them next to a depth gauge saying it at least 3 feet deep. If you're stupid enough to drive around all those then you get what you deserve.

Fed up, Lower Earley
13/01/2011 at 11:51

@whitespirit Mark Jones is NOT the driver just a laughing observer who sees this with alarming regularity while walking the dog :) http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/s/2082060_van_driver_stuck_in_charvil_ford

mj_blue
13/01/2011 at 11:39

If you are in Twyford waiting for your 7:45 Taxi it's going to be late. I was surprised his boss looked relatively calm as he came to pick him up. I wouldn't of been so forgiving ..

mj_blue
13/01/2011 at 11:30

Is Mark Jones, who took the photo, the driver or just a laughing obeserver?

whitespirit
13/01/2011 at 11:28

Why don't they just close the road to stop these morons?

MartinD, Tilehurst
13/01/2011 at 11:27

when will these morons learn to read the depth gauges?!

to even get to it they've had to drive passed big barriers and signs stating the ford is flooded.

make em pay for their idiocy!!

globbits
13/01/2011 at 11:25

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Car stuck in Lands End ford

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