Commendation for flood-rescue barber (From Your Local Guardian)

Commendation for flood-rescue barber

7:10pm Friday 16th November 2007 in

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A barber from Wallington has been commended for rescuing a pensioner trapped in a sinking car during the worst floods for 60 years.

Evan Jaffer Mohamod, 19, stripped to his boxer shorts and clung to the vehicle as it was dragged 20 metres by surging floodwaters in Manor Road.

Three other pedestrians joined the underwater rescue, helping to pull out the panicked driver, Judy Emmett, 88, from Oswestry in Shropshire.

Mrs Emmett escaped unharmed and thanked her rescuers when London Fire Brigade presented them with letters of congratulations.

At the ceremony earlier this month Kevin Biggs, borough commander for Sutton, praised the community spirit of Evan, John Lord, 36, David Turco, 32, and Nathan Miles.

He said: "The brigade was not called but I wanted the actions of these members of the public recognised formally by the service.

"Their presence of mind and bravery when faced with this unusual and frightening emergency prevented any loss of life or serious injury."

Mrs Emmett's car became stuck when, unaware of the 8ft deep floodwaters, she attempted to drive through a railway arch on July 20.

Only a few inches of the vehicle were visible when Evan, who works at Cutting Point barbers opposite the scene, spotted her head against the roof.

He plunged headlong into the rising waters and tried in vain to smash open the sunroof. Electricians John and David came to his aid by wrenching open the back door, so he could swim through.

Nathan then waded over to help to carry the sopping wet pensioner to a nearby pub, where she dried off and got over the shock.