A Durham County Council Street Cleaner has been branded a “hero” after throwing himself in to filthy flood water to rescue a family left stranded on top of their car by last week’s flash floods.
The Dagnan Family, from Bishop Auckland, were returning home from the school run on Monday, June 15th, when flash floods blocked their route home.
Dad, Paul, describes what happened as he drove down St Andrew’s Road, “I started to drive through what looked like a puddle and the engine cut out, within 30 seconds the car started to fill with water. I got Christopher out of the back window and he managed to jump to the bank and call the police, Jonathan and Elle climbed on to the boot and all the time the water was rising. I just thought I’ve got to get the kids on to the bank, then Richard turned up… I’d like to thank him because otherwise I don’t know what we’d have done. It could have been a whole lot different.”
Street Cleaner, Richard Greensmith, scaled a ten-foot wall to drop down into the flood water and lift everyone to safety, but he insists he did not do anything anyone else would not have done given the scene he came across, “Anybody would have done the same and you can’t just leave people stuck like that.
“Within five minutes of the rescue I looked back and the car had disappeared under the flood water. I didn’t think about it until I got back in my van but I can’t swim, but it wouldn’t have stopped me! I am very happy they are all safe. I would do the same again.”
Durham County Council Streetscene Manager, Jimmy Bennett, says Richard is a true hero, “I am really proud of what Richard did, and delighted that the family are safe and well. Let’s hope he doesn’t have to repeat his hero action!”
The day after the floods, the family’s children had a day off school to recover from the incident in which they lost their school books and ruined their clothes, but they are all delighted to be safe and well.
Christopher, 14, recalls, “I was a bit worried when the car started floating and dipping. I was standing watching and just thinking I hope they get out.”
Jonathan, 12, wants to thank Richard, “Thank you because he was there when we needed him!” Little Elle, just 5, admits she was very scared, “I was worried and hoping someone would get me off the car.”
The family’s car was eventually towed out of the flood water by the police, but the Dagnan’s are just very relieved it’s only the car that suffered any real damage.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
