A 57-year-old tractor driver has been branded an “industrial-strength idiot” by people on social media and was arrested after reportedly ploughing through flooded streets and creating waves.
A clip shared online shows a wave from the tractor’s wake smashing shop windows as water surged through the historic town of Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, reports the Mirror.
In the video members of the public can be heard saying: “That’s caused so much damage, all the shops up the High Street.”
Nearby business owners said the action created damage to already-flood-hit premises and worsened flooding in some areas which were protected by sandbags.
Inspector Dave Wise, who leads the safer neighbourhood team in Tenbury Wells, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who brought this incident to our attention, and to the local community for their cooperation and support yesterday while we carried out our initial enquiries.
“I understand the upset and anger that the incident caused, and I hope that the arrest we made yesterday evening offers reassurance that we are actively investigating it.
“Officers will continue to be out and about in Tenbury in the coming days to assist the local community and our partner agencies with recovery efforts following the flooding.”
Storm Bert is still causing havoc across the UK today, with 132 flood warnings still in place including “danger to life” warnings.
Homes were submerged under water and businesses and schools were forced to shut after winds battered parts of Britain with speeds of up to 82mph.
While the last of the rain warnings from the Met Office ended at 11.59pm on Sunday, strong winds are set to continue and rain from high ground is expected to reach rivers, which could hamper clean-up efforts.
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