Firefighters were called to rescue a motorist from the roof of his BMW after the vehicle became stranded in deep floodwater in Leicestershire.
Ignoring the Clear Warning
The incident occurred on the evening of Thursday, January 15, 2026, on Hallaton Road in Medbourne, near Market Harborough. The driver entered a ford that was clearly flooded, despite a gauge at the location showing the water depth. Photographs later shared by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service showed the gauge reading almost two feet deep.
The service posted about the incident on social media on Saturday morning, January 17, posing a wry question: "A question for the car enthusiasts out there - what would win in a battle between a BMW and a ford?"
A Midnight Rescue Operation
Crews were mobilised just before midnight to help the stranded driver. Thankfully, the man was unharmed in the ordeal and was successfully rescued from the roof of his car. However, his vehicle was not so fortunate.
The BMW was left in situ in the water. The fire service used the opportunity to issue an important reminder to the public about the limits of their duties in such situations.
"We are a rescue service, not a recovery service"
In their social media post, the service stated clearly: "the same cannot be said for his Beemer though, which was left in-situ because, as we often have to explain to people in these circumstances, we are a rescue service, not a vehicle recovery service."
This statement underscores a frequent point of confusion for the public. While fire crews will always respond to save lives, the retrieval of vehicles from water or other hazards is typically the responsibility of the driver via a private recovery firm.
With flood warnings becoming increasingly common, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service took the opportunity to reiterate a vital safety message. They strongly urged all motorists not to enter floodwater, regardless of their vehicle type. Driving into floodwater is extremely dangerous, risking both life and vehicle.
