FIREFIGHTERS have warned drivers to be sensible after five people had to be rescued from the roof of their car after it was trapped in several feet of water.

Lloyd Palmer, from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue, said: “Several roads across the county are currently flooded, so if you come across one, please do not attempt to drive through it. “It might add extra time to your journey but it is far safer to find an alternative route – it’s not worth the risk of getting stuck.

“Incredibly, we have also heard reports of people disregarding 'road closed’ signs – they are there for your safety, so please do not ignore them.” Crews were called out at 1.48am last Thursday to a 4x4 Land Rover trapped in a ford at Pendrys Lane, Hawthorn Hill, Warfield.

The car, which was driven by a man in his early 20s, went into the ford but the speed of the water spun the car round to face the other direction.

By the time firefighters arrived, the four men and one woman, all in their early 20s, had been forced on to the roof of their car.

Water levels were described as “stomach height”, and firefighter Rudy Gallagher, who attended the scene, said: “The water was up to the bottom of the car windows. The driver said he had driven through there before and it was fine.” Two fire crews, one from Bracknell and the other from Maidenhead, attended, along with a water rescue unit from Caversham. An inflatable boat was used to access the stranded occupants.

A doctor and two ambulances arrived and the car’s five occupants, although very cold, were not injured. The car was removed from the ford later that day.