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Buttsbury Wash: Woman on standby at ford to rescue stranded drivers

Danielle Nicholls has posted video on social media of vehicles attempting to pass very deep water

A woman has been going to a ford each morning ready to rescue drivers who get stuck in floodwater.

Danielle Nicholls, 32, has used her Land Rover to pull several people to safety in recent months at Buttsbury Wash near Billericay in Essex.

She has also filmed many drivers attempting to cross very deep water and has put the footage on YouTube to raise awareness of the dangers.

"I do not charge for it, human life is worth more than money to me," she said.

ECFRS Car stranded in flood waterECFRS
Scores of vehicles have been filmed getting stuck at Buttsbury Wash in Billericay

She decided to do it having become stuck in deep water in her own car on one occasion.

Usually she stays at the ford until early evening but was once there from 19:00 until 23:45 during bad weather.

"No-one wants to be stranded in freezing cold water in the middle of nowhere, with nowhere to go," she said.

"So, I offer my car if they're stuck or foil blankets if they're cold and wet. It is just my way of helping out."

Watch manager Andy Haswell from Brentwood Fire Station warned floodwater was "often deeper than you think".

"It really doesn't take much water for your car to be severely damaged or for your car to float out of control, putting your life at risk," he added.

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