Street cleaner saves flood family

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A street cleaner is being hailed a hero after rescuing a family from the roof of their sinking car during flash flooding in County Durham.

Richard Greensmith jumped from a 10ft wall to reach the stranded car in St Andrews Road, Bishop Auckland.

Minutes after he helped Paul Dagnan and two of his children to safety, the vehicle disappeared beneath the water.

The family said the outcome could have been very different if Mr Greensmith, who cannot swim, had not waded in.

Torrential downpours caused flooding across the county on Monday, and Bishop Auckland was one of the worst hit areas after sewers failed to cope with the deluge.

Mr Dagnan had just picked up his three children - Christopher, 14, Jonathan, 12, and five-year-old Elle - from school when the downpour struck.

Jump to bank

As he drove through what he believed was a puddle, the engine cut out and water started to pour into the car.

He said: "I got Christopher out of the back window and he managed to jump to the bank and call the police.

Bishop Auckland was one the areas worst affected by the flash floods

"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."

Mr Greensmith dropped down into the flood water and lifted the children to safety.

He said: "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."

Mr Greensmith's employers, Durham County Council, called him a "true hero".

Twelve-year-old Jonathan said: "Thank you because he was there when we needed him."