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The Sky van and Vauxhall Vectra trapped in Charvil Ford
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Charvil ford continues to trap dozy drivers

March 02, 2011

The notorious Charvil ford has struck again as two stranded motorists have been rescued from the river crossing over the last week.

The first recovery mission took place just before 11.20am on Thursday, February 24, when firefighters from Crowthorne and the water rescue team at Caversham Road fire station were called out to the ford in Park Lane.

This was after receiving reports a silver Vauxhall Vectra was stuck in the water.

The fire crews left shortly after arriving at the scene, as the male driver had arranged alternative recovery.

He had managed to pull himself out of the car and waded to dry land before raising the alarm.

A spokeswoman for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We have to send a pump to each bank because people are never quite sure where they are.

“The fire officer in charge messaged back at 11.37am to say no action was required and the vehicle recovery team was there.”

A second driver required assistance after his Sky TV van failed to make it across the ford yesterday.

However, assistance from the emergency services was not required, as the driver had telephoned a friend who came along and pulled him out.

According to Steve Collier, who is landlord at the Lands End Pub in Park Lane, the ford, which is a tributary of the River Loddon, was carrying an additional 20 inches of water following recent heavy rainfall.

He told The Wokingham Times how a further two drivers had unsuccessfully attempted to get across the river crossing in the last seven days, but had managed to get themselves out without any aid.

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Most recent user comments 19 of 19

They should have a sign saying. Dont believe everything your sat nav tells you.

Nobbie
09/03/2011 at 14:57

Re Grawok

No need for a betting office, just make a covered beer garden at the back end of the Land's End pub car park. If they had a tug of war team, towing satnav users could be good practice.

Joseph Malik
03/03/2011 at 20:38

Out of nothing better to do has the web editor got an iq above

Oh I cut myself off there rendering the entire point meaningless.

S C A R
03/03/2011 at 10:29

i blame sat nav...i'm sure it never used to happen so often

ritchierat, brighton
03/03/2011 at 09:29

Fine them.

1871, Reading
02/03/2011 at 20:43

Surely common a common sense approach is all that is required. Living nearby, it is a given that if the weather hasn't been too good, don't use it.

Eskimo Charlie, Reading
02/03/2011 at 18:33

What they need is a sign painted on the road saying 'If you can't read this then the water level is too high to cross'. Oh, hang on that won't work...

Gargoyle, Reading
02/03/2011 at 18:20

Doesn't actually look too deep does it? It's only just covering the exhaust on both, little bit of gas & clutch control and you're sorted.

Driver error.

Lester Crinklesack
02/03/2011 at 17:03

Satnav's for brains? How about employing a pensioner with a red flag - much more reliable!

dodger, south oxfordshire
02/03/2011 at 13:46

Oh this is now beyond the pail...ha ha

Perhaps instead a big ruler sticking out of the ground there needs to be a board for dummies with vehicle size showing...i.e. water level at x point leaves only 4X4, lorry, tractor pictures showing. No wait...I've a better idea...build a little bloody bridge.

hudson, reading
02/03/2011 at 13:20

As others I have been through this ford over the years in / on all sorts of transport without any problems – I have also turned around a couple of times when I could see it was too deep

The road / ford has signs warning all users that its there / could be a problem and there are very clear depth markers – as can be seen showing clearly 2ft deep in both pictures!

So it all comes down to one thing – numpty drivers!

And that’s being polite………

OLDMAN!, Reading
02/03/2011 at 13:19

They should simply leave them there

S C A R
02/03/2011 at 12:39

This needs to be properly signed! ... As a local tourist attraction. Could even have a betting office next to it to wager on whether the prospective 'lemming' will sink or swim.:)

graywok, Woosehill
02/03/2011 at 12:36

As per WW - both of those vehicles would have made it through if the driver knew what they were doing!

Fred Bloggs
02/03/2011 at 11:41

Never saw the problem myself, used the ford 100+ times

4x4 Toyota pick up with an up-right exhaust = crossed no problem what ever the weather

Old Mondeo = crossed using great caution depending on the weather and height of the water.

No bridge is actually needed, most of the year there is no problems, however, like many things in life people will attempt to do stupid things without thought.

Water is dangerous and it really does not matter if you are swimming, in a boat or a car, you should always use your brain before plunging in.

Wodger Wabbitt.com, Oxford Road
02/03/2011 at 10:47

Lol lol lol lol lol!!

Brad .
02/03/2011 at 10:23

Maybe a big sign stating if you get stuck you will have to cover the costs may deter people....

Just an opinion
02/03/2011 at 09:58

I've just google street viewed that road having never been down it myself, and I have to say who in there right mind would drive a car through that! (the google driver did)

Why hasn't a bridge been made?