South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust’s (SWASFT) Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) has been busy responding to calls across the Somerset Levels. The HART Team is a specialist unit within the ambulance service that is trained and equipped for swift water access, amongst many other specialist capabilities.
Weeks of torrential rainfall across the South West has left many communities across the Levels cut off with the main areas affected including Muchelney, Thorney, Oath, Northmoor, Saltmoor, Fordgate, Moorland and Curry Moor.
Throughout Wednesday (February 5th) the HART dealt with numerous calls including:
- Welfare checks on residents at a property in Burrow Bridge with one patient evacuated to a place of safety;
- Conveying a patient from Ruishton to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton for treatment;
- Responded with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service to a van stuck in flood water – one patient discharged at the scene;
- Responded to reports of two people trapped in a car in flood water. Both patients taken to a place of safety.
More rainfall is predicted for today (Thursday, February 6th) and throughout the rest of this week and the weekend and SWASFT is urging residents on the Levels to keep up to date with the latest weather information
Derek McCullough, East Somerset Operational Locality Manager for SWASFT, said: “I would urge residents across the Levels who have been affected by the flooding to keep an eye on the weather forecast over the coming days.
“Our main aim is making sure those who are affected have all their medical provisions and the HART will be on hand to offer medical advice and treatment if needed.
“More heavy rain is predicted for the area so it is essential that people only dial 999 in an emergency. If you require medical assistance but it is not an emergency please call 111.”