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Flood villagers winched to safety Hundreds rescued as floods strike
(about 1 hour later)
Twenty people were airlifted to safety from a building in Worcestershire as floods continued to hit the county. More than 750 people stranded in cars, caravans, houses and boats have been rescued from floods in Worcestershire.
Crews from RAF Kinloss in Morayshire came to the aid of the stricken group in the village of Offenham. Hereford and Worcester Fire Service described Friday night as its "worst in living memory".
Twenty people were airlifted from a building in the village of Offenham by crews from RAF Kinloss, in Morayshire.
About 20 special needs children, who were trapped at the Vale of Evesham Special School in Evesham overnight, could be spending another night there.About 20 special needs children, who were trapped at the Vale of Evesham Special School in Evesham overnight, could be spending another night there.
Hereford and Worcester Fire Service said it had received more than 2,000 calls in 27 hours. Anne Starr, from the school, said many of the children had a bed for the night because it was a residential school.
It has so far rescued more than 750 people who were stranded in cars, caravans, houses and boats, and described Friday night as the "worst in living memory". 'Quite challenging'
No power She said: "Parents have been trying to get to us but have been turned back by police. We are planning to stay another night here.
About 10,000 vehicles were stranded overnight
"We've managed to keep safe, we're dry, we've had plenty to eat, so we're OK.
"Some of the youngsters thought it was a great adventure. Others found it quite challenging as their routines have been changed."
The fire service said it had received more than 2,000 calls in 27 hours, more than 10% of its annual figure.
Elsewhere in the county 200 people were stranded at the New Inn at Cropthorn overnight without power or water.Elsewhere in the county 200 people were stranded at the New Inn at Cropthorn overnight without power or water.
M50 still shut
An eyewitness in Evesham watched caravans float down the river and bang into the main bridge.An eyewitness in Evesham watched caravans float down the river and bang into the main bridge.
About 10,000 vehicles were stranded overnight on the M5 in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.About 10,000 vehicles were stranded overnight on the M5 in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.
The M5 and M50 motorways in the area later reopened but there were delays. Residents were carried from a caravan park in Bromyard
About 10,000 vehicles were stranded overnight The M5 later reopened but the M50 remains shut.
The New Inn between Evesham and Pershore took in coachloads of people when a road collapsed and then floods cut off the area.The New Inn between Evesham and Pershore took in coachloads of people when a road collapsed and then floods cut off the area.
They had no power for about five hours and the mains water is still off.They had no power for about five hours and the mains water is still off.
Justin Owen, a spokesman for RAF Kinloss, said five helicopters were out overnight and by Saturday lunchtime some had been operating for up to 12 hours. Justin Owen, a spokesman for RAF Kinloss, said five helicopters had rescued "in excess of 100 people".
He said: "In excess of 100 people (overall) have been rescued. Mainly it's been rescues from buildings, people trapped."
Anne Starr, of the Evesham special school, said many of the children had a bed for the night because it was a residential school.
Children rescued
She said: "Parents have been trying to get to us but have been turned back by police. We are planning to stay another night here.
"We've managed to keep safe, we're dry, we've had plenty to eat, so we're OK.
"Some of the youngsters thought it was a great adventure. Others found it quite challenging as their routines have been changed."
Elsewhere in the county, two people had to be rescued from the River Avon.Elsewhere in the county, two people had to be rescued from the River Avon.
Residents were carried from a caravan park in Bromyard
Earlier RAF helicopters plucked more than 60 villagers from their rooftops and bedroom windows in Sedgeberrow when the River Isbourne broke its banks.Earlier RAF helicopters plucked more than 60 villagers from their rooftops and bedroom windows in Sedgeberrow when the River Isbourne broke its banks.
Tunnel blocked
Firefighters also had to rescue children at Cherry Orchard Primary School in Worcester when water flowed into their building.Firefighters also had to rescue children at Cherry Orchard Primary School in Worcester when water flowed into their building.
Train services in Worcester were disrupted when a landslide blocked a tunnel near Shrub Hill station. Dozens of residents were evacuated from a caravan park off the A44 at Petty Bridge, near Bromyard in Herefordshire, where the River Froome burst its banks.Train services in Worcester were disrupted when a landslide blocked a tunnel near Shrub Hill station. Dozens of residents were evacuated from a caravan park off the A44 at Petty Bridge, near Bromyard in Herefordshire, where the River Froome burst its banks.
In Ledbury a tunnel close to the railway station was also flooded, causing severe disruption to trains between Worcester and Hereford, transport officials said.In Ledbury a tunnel close to the railway station was also flooded, causing severe disruption to trains between Worcester and Hereford, transport officials said.
Malvern Link railway station was under a foot of water and there was water on the line between Bromsgrove and Cheltenham.Malvern Link railway station was under a foot of water and there was water on the line between Bromsgrove and Cheltenham.