A MAIL van got stuck in a flooded South Tyneside lane as last week’s heavy rain continued to claim victims.
The Royal Mail delivery van became submerged in three feet of water in Moor Lane, Cleadon, at about 2pm yesterday.
Police and firefighters were called to help free the driver, before the vehicle was towed away.
A resident, who lives nearby, said: “The lane has been flooded since Monday’s heavy downpour. The driver was at first just sitting there waving. He was well and truly stuck. There was also ducks swimming by on the flooded fields next to the lane, it looked almost picturesque.
“Residents have been going the long way around through the village and avoiding the road, but I guess he wasn’t to know.”
On Thursday at 6.25pm, a car also became trapped on the road. The woman driver waded out of the water and later arranged for her car to be towed away.
Superintendent Chris Sharman said: “It is very difficult for motorists to judge the depth of standing water, particularly in the dark, so we advise drivers to watch out for standing water and try to avoid it if they can.
“Police patrol the roads and check areas where flooding is a risk, and then work with the local authority and Highways Agency to take appropriate action.
“We encourage the public to notify police or the local authority if they come across any flood water so that we can take action.”