South Yorkshire firefighters help with flood relief effort in Cumbria

South Yorkshire firefighters have taken water pumping equipment to Cumbria to help with the flood relief effort.
South Yorkshire firefighters in CumbriaSouth Yorkshire firefighters in Cumbria
South Yorkshire firefighters in Cumbria

A six-strong team travelled to Cumbria over the weekend after floods wreaked havoc - leaving some communities isolated.

They used South Yorkshire’s high volume pump, which is capable of pumping 8,000 litres of water per minute.

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It was used to pump water back into the River Derwent in Cockermouth, where the main street through the town is under water.

Another team travelled to Cumbria today to relieve the first crew.

Head of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue’s emergency response, Phil Shillito, said: “We are pleased to be able to offer practical and strategic support to our colleagues in Cumbria.

“The high volume pump is an extremely powerful piece of kit and is ideally suited to helping to deal with the quantities of water we are talking about in Cumbria right now.

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“To be part of such a massive relief effort is extremely rewarding for those involved and I would like to thank them on behalf of the people that they are assisting.”

In Doncaster in 2007, when more than 30 high volume pumps from all over the country helped to pump out flooded areas around Bentley and Toll Bar.

Members of Peak District mountain rescue teams have also been helping out in Cumbria.

Edale mountain rescue team spokesman, Ed Proudfoot, said: “Edale mountain rescue team sent three swift and water rescue trained team members along with an experienced off-road vehicle driver.

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“A total of 24 mountain rescue personnel and five vehicles were deployed from Peak District teams.

“After a challenging drive in dangerous conditions with many lorries and cars overturned and abandoned on the road, the teams from across northern England met at Penrith and were deployed to multiple incidents throughout the Lake

District.

“Edale’s section worked alongside others throughout the night and provided assistance to upwards of 70 stranded people, including young children and babies.

“They were also involved when an emergency call came in to respond to a woman who had been washed away in the flood water.”