Terrifying moment bus ploughs into heavily flooded road and is carried off by the tide after 'idiot' driver overtakes cars waiting for the water to subside

  • Bus driver overtook stopped cars at 30mph and drove into a flooded ditch  
  • The fire service was called after bus became stuck on its side in Wallasea, Essex 
  • Both the bus driver and one passenger on board were rescued in half an hour
  • Privately owned bus company, Stephensons of Essex, declined to comment 

By Isabella Nikolic For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

An 'idiotic' bus driver ended up in a ditch after driving into floodwaters at 30mph as onlookers watched in disbelief. 

The bus overtook other drivers who had stopped in front of the waterlogged road in Wallasea, Essex, and tipped on to its side as it was carried off by the water.

After it became stuck in the ditch the fire service had to be called. 

One observer managed to film the scene as she waited at the water's edge.

Ann May said in the footage: 'He had to do it, didn't he? Idiot. What an idiot - 999 yeah?'

The bus driver, who works for Stephensons of Essex bus company, attempted to take on the tide on Saturday but quickly lost control.

There was one male passenger in the bus at the time and it took fire crews less than half and hour to free both him and the driver. 

No one was injured. 

Ms May said: 'At 2.28pm the bus overtook all of the waiting cars coming onto Wallasea Island via Creeksea Ferry Road.

'The tide was all over the road and everybody was waiting for it to turn.

'Then five minutes later he came back in the opposite direction and overtook all of the cars waiting to come off the island.

'He recklessly drove through the flood water and lost the road. There had been flood warnings especially as it's a spring tide.

An 'idiotic' bus driver drove into a flooded ditch at 30mph, tipping the bus on to its side as onlookers watched in disbelief
The fire service had to be called two rescue the driver and one passenger after the Stephensons of Essex bus became stuck on its side

An 'idiotic' bus driver drove into a flooded ditch at 30mph, tipping the bus on to its side as onlookers watched in disbelief. The fire service had to be called two rescue the driver and one passenger after the Stephensons of Essex bus became stuck on its side

'It was scary and unbelievable to watch. I realised how serious the situation was . I rang for the fire brigade and police.'

'The tide at this point was still rising and the fear was that the bus would tip.'

Firefighters were called and rescued the driver and a single passenger.

Ms May added: 'It frightened the life out of me and I was awake all night thinking about it. 

'I'm disabled and sometimes used this service, but I won't now.'

Stephensons of Essex declined to comment.  

Earlier that day, flood alerts were issued across Essex, warning people to be careful near coastal areas.

The Met Office also said tides were expected to be higher than usual. 

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