UK Weather: Man Swept Away And Killed By Floods In Shropshire

Man Killed By Floods
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A man has died after being swept away by floodwater as heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning battered parts of central and northern England.

West Mercia Police said the man was overcome by the water in a stream at Bittlerley, near Ludlow, Shropshire, shortly after 10.30am on Thursday.

Witnesses reported the incident and the man's body was found after an extensive search involving police, fire crews and the Severn Area Rescue Association.

A police spokeswoman said the man, in his 60s, has not been formally identified.

West Mercia Police had previously urged drivers to "take it easy" in waterlogged areas.

A spokeswoman said: "With heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast, West Mercia Police urges drivers to take it easy and not take any risks should they come across a flood.

"It is very difficult to tell just how deep floodwater is or what problems there might be below its surface.

"For their own safety, drivers should not take the risk. People have died after becoming trapped in their vehicles or even been washed away by rapidly rising water levels."