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Floods body is missing policeman Floods body is missing policeman
(about 4 hours later)
The body found after a bridge collapsed when major floods struck across Cumbria has been confirmed as a policeman who was swept away while directing traffic.The body found after a bridge collapsed when major floods struck across Cumbria has been confirmed as a policeman who was swept away while directing traffic.
Pc Bill Barker, 44, fell into the River Derwent when the A597 bridge was destroyed by floods in Workington.Pc Bill Barker, 44, fell into the River Derwent when the A597 bridge was destroyed by floods in Workington.
Cumbria Police said father-of-four Pc Barker had been helping motorists off the bridge when it collapsed.Cumbria Police said father-of-four Pc Barker had been helping motorists off the bridge when it collapsed.
He had been an officer with the force for 25 years and would have celebrated his 45th birthday on Saturday.He had been an officer with the force for 25 years and would have celebrated his 45th birthday on Saturday.
Cumbria Police chief constable Craig Mackey said: "It is with deep sadness that I can confirm that the body found on a beach at Allonby this afternoon is that of our friend and colleague Pc Bill Barker."Cumbria Police chief constable Craig Mackey said: "It is with deep sadness that I can confirm that the body found on a beach at Allonby this afternoon is that of our friend and colleague Pc Bill Barker."
Pc Bill Barker was swept off a bridge in Workington Tributes to flood death Pc Essential weather information In pictures: flooding rescuesPc Bill Barker was swept off a bridge in Workington Tributes to flood death Pc Essential weather information In pictures: flooding rescues
The force said Pc Barker had been called to the scene with a colleague to try to protect members of the public who were putting themselves in danger on the bridge. Pc Barker had been called to the scene with a colleague to try to protect members of the public.
But locals in Workington said Pc Barker had gone to the aid of a car on the bridge. Eyewitness Brendan Pickering was turned away from the bridge, which is thought to have carried gas pipes, moments before it collapsed.
Robin Taylor, 50, a maintenance engineer from the town, said: "I have lived here for 28 years and I've never seen anything like this. He said: "....The young police lady shouted 'Come of the bridge'. Just as we turned round a full section of the bridge went."
"I was told the police officer had responded to an emergency call and gone to the bridge to help a car that had become stuck and, as he was leading them away, the pavement side of the bridge collapsed first and he was gone. "When I looked over I could still see the police lights flashing. Just at that the young lass said 'Can you come off the bridge right away', and I could smell a wrench of gas - it was unbelievable."
"It is really sad, I thought it was absolutely shocking." Mr Pickering said he was helping police to stop traffic driving onto the bridge when he heard one say: "One of our officers has gone in."
The Prime Minister is among those who have paid tribute to Pc Barker, calling him a "heroic, very brave man who died trying to save the lives of others".The Prime Minister is among those who have paid tribute to Pc Barker, calling him a "heroic, very brave man who died trying to save the lives of others".
The Met Office said rainfall in parts of Cumbria had been some of the heaviest on record.The Met Office said rainfall in parts of Cumbria had been some of the heaviest on record.
Helicopter footage of Cumbria shows the extent of the floods which have hit the area Workington man Brendan Pickering saw the bridge collapse, killing Pc Barker
Up to 1,000 properties are thought to have been flooded across the county, according to the Environment Agency, which has received more than 12,000 calls from members of the public.Up to 1,000 properties are thought to have been flooded across the county, according to the Environment Agency, which has received more than 12,000 calls from members of the public.
A spokesman described the deluge as "a one-in-a-thousand-year flood".A spokesman described the deluge as "a one-in-a-thousand-year flood".
Up to 500 people are estimated to be in emergency shelters, with Cockermouth and Keswick the hardest hit.Up to 500 people are estimated to be in emergency shelters, with Cockermouth and Keswick the hardest hit.
Rescuers worked through the night to reach people who were trapped in their homes.Rescuers worked through the night to reach people who were trapped in their homes.
The RAF, RNLI, mountain rescue teams and emergency services, helped move about 200 people from Cockermouth after the River Cocker burst its banks, leaving parts of the town more than 2.5m (8ft 2in) under water. The RAF, RNLI, mountain rescue teams and emergency services, helped move about 200 people from Cockermouth after parts of the town were left more than 2.5m (8ft 2in) under water.
The first thing obviously is to make sure that people are looked after immediately Hilary Benn, Environment Minister Blog by Cockermouth resident and BBC North East Political Editor Richard MossThe first thing obviously is to make sure that people are looked after immediately Hilary Benn, Environment Minister Blog by Cockermouth resident and BBC North East Political Editor Richard Moss
Cockermouth School has been housing 110 evacuees and the Sheep and Wool Centre in the town accommodated 100 people.Cockermouth School has been housing 110 evacuees and the Sheep and Wool Centre in the town accommodated 100 people.
More than 50 people rescued in Keswick have been taken to the town's convention centre, Skiddaw Hotel and St Joseph's school.More than 50 people rescued in Keswick have been taken to the town's convention centre, Skiddaw Hotel and St Joseph's school.
Police have warned people to stay away from bridges after water pressure also destroyed the Southwaite footbridge in Cockermouth and the nearby Lorton Bridge.Police have warned people to stay away from bridges after water pressure also destroyed the Southwaite footbridge in Cockermouth and the nearby Lorton Bridge.
Cumbria County Council has reported the bridge at Braithwaite in Keswick as collapsed, with water being diverted by rubble across the A66.Cumbria County Council has reported the bridge at Braithwaite in Keswick as collapsed, with water being diverted by rubble across the A66.
More than 1,400 homes are without power in the county, several major roads are closed and more than 70 schools have been shut.More than 1,400 homes are without power in the county, several major roads are closed and more than 70 schools have been shut.
Environment Minister Hilary Benn, who visited Cockermouth on Friday, said the prime minister had pledged to do everything possible to help.Environment Minister Hilary Benn, who visited Cockermouth on Friday, said the prime minister had pledged to do everything possible to help.
Eyewitness: Cockermouth floodsEyewitness: Cockermouth floods
He said: "The first thing obviously is to make sure that people are looked after immediately.He said: "The first thing obviously is to make sure that people are looked after immediately.
"Secondly the regional development agency, with government funding, has announced a contribution of £1m to support businesses that have been affected."Secondly the regional development agency, with government funding, has announced a contribution of £1m to support businesses that have been affected.
"My cabinet colleague John Denham activated the emergency funding rules to help local authorities with the cost of the clean-up this morning. So we have done that straight away.""My cabinet colleague John Denham activated the emergency funding rules to help local authorities with the cost of the clean-up this morning. So we have done that straight away."
RAF squadron leader Dave Webster said the air search and rescue operation aiding people in towns including Keswick and Cockermouth was beginning to wind down, although a helicopter would remain on standby.RAF squadron leader Dave Webster said the air search and rescue operation aiding people in towns including Keswick and Cockermouth was beginning to wind down, although a helicopter would remain on standby.
Cumbria Police has opened a casualty bureau, for members of the public to telephone should they have any concerns regarding relatives, friends and family involved in the flooding incident.Cumbria Police has opened a casualty bureau, for members of the public to telephone should they have any concerns regarding relatives, friends and family involved in the flooding incident.
Firefighters and RNLI personnel rescued people from their homesFirefighters and RNLI personnel rescued people from their homes
But the Environment Agency said the situation across the county was beginning to improve with most river levels slowly falling.But the Environment Agency said the situation across the county was beginning to improve with most river levels slowly falling.
Spokesman David Falcon said: "The outlook for today is pretty good as it is just showers, our only concern at present is the rainfall that is forecast for tomorrow.Spokesman David Falcon said: "The outlook for today is pretty good as it is just showers, our only concern at present is the rainfall that is forecast for tomorrow.
"About 40mm is predicted, which is nothing like the levels experienced over the past 48 hours, but of course it is falling on saturated ground.""About 40mm is predicted, which is nothing like the levels experienced over the past 48 hours, but of course it is falling on saturated ground."
Four severe flood warnings remain in place on rivers in Cockermouth, Keswick and Eamont Bridge.Four severe flood warnings remain in place on rivers in Cockermouth, Keswick and Eamont Bridge.
Are you in one of the flooded areas? What are conditions like where you live? Send us your comments and pictures.Are you in one of the flooded areas? What are conditions like where you live? Send us your comments and pictures.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here.
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