Man arrested over tractor drive through flooded high street

A 57-year-old has been arrested after a video of a man driving a tractor through floodwaters in Worcestershire went viral.

The recording showed a huge wave of water from the tractor’s wake damage shopfronts and homes as well as break windows in the town of Tenbury Wells.

The man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and criminal damage and has now been released on bail pending inquiries.

The town became severely flooded on Sunday after a wall caved in near Kyre Brook as a result of Storm Bert.

Gary Thompson, a card shop owner, whose business was affected said repeated floods have created a “serious problem” in Tenbury.

He added that there is a “scary” risk of businesses packing up shop across the town after homes and businesses took “a good two years” to recover from Cyclone Uriah in 2007.

Pub licensee Paul Birkin described how water took over sandbags and smashed through the windows of his pub.

He said he was “absolutely distraught” as the water “hit the back wall” of the pub and remarked it was a “miracle” that no one was hurt.

Inspector Dave Wise of West Mercia Police said he was grateful to the local community for bringing attention to the issue.

He added: “Officers will continue to be out and about in Tenbury in the coming days to assist the local community.”

Local councillor David Chambers expressed frustration at the town’s insufficient flood defences.

“We’re lobbying as hard as we possibly can and I have to say there’s real frustration now that progress doesn’t seem to be happening” he said.

Five people have died as a result of Storm Bert after the 80mph winds rocked the country and more than 150mm of rain fell in 24 hours.