West Sussex highway worker struck by vehicle driving through closed flooded road
The council say they recognise these closures are frustrating, but workers trying to get the road back open should not be abused
A highway worker was struck by a car traveling through a flooded road this morning, as the council issues a warning to drivers.
A white Land Rover ignored a road closure in place due to flooding and hit a member of the council's highway team.
The council has reported the incident to the police, and witnesses are asked to contact them at 101 to assist with inquiries.
The worker escaped uninjured.
The County Council is reminding drivers of the risks involved with driving through flooded roads, including potential car damage, insurance complications, and dangers to highway operatives.
Following the incident today they released the following statement:
"Whilst the council understands the frustration road closures caused by flooding present to drivers, driving through them can cause further issues including delaying opening the road, pushing water into residential homes as well as potentially negating the driver’s insurance should their car break down due to water ingress.
It is also dangerous to those highway operatives who are on site to try and resolve the issue.
This morning, one of our highways team members was struck by a white Land Rover which forced its way through a road closure.
Luckily the operative was not injured but the incident has been reported to the police and any witnesses are urged to contact the police on 101.
Our officers are there to help, they are not there to be abused either verbally or physically, and we urge the public to recognise this.
We want to resolve the issues faced due the adverse weather as much as the public and ask for patience whilst we do so."
Authorities are working to resolve issues prompted by the adverse weather conditions and ask for public patience during this period.