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A WATER firm driver was nearly up to his neck in it as his van was left half-submerged by a river yesterday.

As the UK was drenched by rain, the vehicle got caught on a track which is swallowed by the Avon when the tide comes in.

A water firm driver was nearly up to his neck in it as his van was left half-submerged by a river yesterday in Devon
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A water firm driver was nearly up to his neck in it as his van was left half-submerged by a river yesterday in DevonCredit: Apex
The vehicle got caught on a track which is swallowed by the Avon
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The vehicle got caught on a track which is swallowed by the AvonCredit: Apex
A driver hangs his arm into the water as he drives through Lullington Road to the village of Alfriston, East Sussex
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A driver hangs his arm into the water as he drives through Lullington Road to the village of Alfriston, East SussexCredit: jon santa cruz

Locals are used to seeing unsuspecting drivers stuck on Tidal Road in Aveton Gifford, Devon — but a witness said it was the second time a South West Water van had come a cropper there.

After the AA came to the rescue, wildlife artist John Ashton explained: “There’s sewage works at the beginning of the tidal pathway.

"If workers are there for several hours, they could miss the tide turning and easily become trapped.”

The Met Office yesterday warned Brits to brace for more wet and windy conditions, ­particularly in north-western areas, tomorrow and on Friday.

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With widespread disruption expected, there were 86 flood alerts and eight flood warnings in place across the UK.

Despite the torrential downpours, many will see variable cloud and even some sunny spells near the end of the week.

The Met Office predicts that a northwest-southeast split is likely to develop into the weekend, bringing unsettled conditions to the northwest and more mild and clear weather in southern regions.

More rain is set to batter Britain today
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More rain is set to batter Britain todayCredit: PA
There are 86 flood warnings and alerts in place across the UK
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There are 86 flood warnings and alerts in place across the UKCredit: jon santa cruz
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