A TRAGIC accident which claimed the life of a mother of three has led to the emergency services warning drivers to take extra care in areas prone to flooding.

Vanessa Robson, 53, of Beveley, died when her Land Rover Freelander was swept into a river as she tried to cross a ford in Hartoft, near Pickering, on Friday afternoon.

Other rivers across Ryedale have also become swollen due to the recent rain and melting snow.

The power of the raging river overwhelmed the 4x4 which was later found wedged underneath the nearby Muffles Bridge.

In spite of a frantic search involving at least three dozen rescuers and an RAF helicopter, Mrs Robson's body was later recovered near the stricken vehicle.

One resident described her death a "real tragedy." He said: "We often used to see her driving around here."

Speaking after the accident, spokesmen for both the police and fire service said fords in particular can be deceptive as to how much water can be lying there.

Sgt Steve Pearse, of Ryedale's Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "From our point of view, it is a tragic incident resulting in this loss of life for this indi- vidual.

''We would like to appeal to anyone else who is in a situation where they are crossing either a river or field, or using a ford, to take the safe option and drive the extra distance to their destinations. In the few occasions where this is not possible, only return once the flood has ceased."

Echoing those comments, Mick Sowden, station manager at Malton Fire Station, said: "The water is often deeper than it looks and may be moving quite fast – your vehicle may easily be swept away or become stranded."

People should not walk through flooded areas either, he added.
"Even shallow water moving fast can sweep you off your feet and there may be hidden dangers such as open drains, damaged road surfaces, submerged debris or deep channels. These can cause serious injuries or even death."

The Environment Agency sent out a Flood Warning to Sinnington residents on Friday while people in Pickering were on standby after Flood Watches were issued.

But despite the threat, flooding was "not close at all in the end", according to Rachel Popham, of Sinnington. "It came up and went down in half a day," she said.

"As far as I know, nobody had water in their house at all although the water did come out over the bank.

''The warnings worked and the Environment Agency and this group doing the flood prevention work have been very helpful."

Cllr Brian Baker, mayor of Pickering, who records flood-type incidents in a special book at the town council's offices, said: "It was very close to places such as Beck Isle Museum but did not penetrate the building.

"It certainly came over the banks. There was a Flood Watch and it was a very anxious two or three hours."