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Two dead after flooding accident Two dead after flooding accident
(20 minutes later)
Two men have died after they tried to pump water from a flooded rugby club in Gloucestershire.Two men have died after they tried to pump water from a flooded rugby club in Gloucestershire.
Bramwell Lane, 64, and his son Chris were using a petrol-powered pump at the Tewkesbury club, and may have been overcome by fumes.Bramwell Lane, 64, and his son Chris were using a petrol-powered pump at the Tewkesbury club, and may have been overcome by fumes.
The fire service has warned of the risks of using certain pumps indoors.The fire service has warned of the risks of using certain pumps indoors.
Meanwhile, 140,000 households in Gloucestershire remain without water after a treatment plant flooded, and health and sanitation fears persist.Meanwhile, 140,000 households in Gloucestershire remain without water after a treatment plant flooded, and health and sanitation fears persist.
Severn Trent Water says the army is helping to plan the refilling of mobile street dispensers, or bowsers, amid complaints that some have been running dry.Severn Trent Water says the army is helping to plan the refilling of mobile street dispensers, or bowsers, amid complaints that some have been running dry.
See map of severe flood warnings See map of severe flood warnings
The BBC has received messages from residents in Gloucester and Cheltenham about the difficulty of locating bowsers with water in them.The BBC has received messages from residents in Gloucester and Cheltenham about the difficulty of locating bowsers with water in them.
HAVE YOUR SAY I'm having trouble getting to water as I don't drive and have three small children and I can't get to supermarkets to get bottled water Samantha, Gloucester Send us your experiencesHAVE YOUR SAY I'm having trouble getting to water as I don't drive and have three small children and I can't get to supermarkets to get bottled water Samantha, Gloucester Send us your experiences
The police, meanwhile, said there had been some selfish behaviour among some residents trying to find water.The police, meanwhile, said there had been some selfish behaviour among some residents trying to find water.
Earlier the director of Severn Trent Water, David Wickens, said it had proved difficult to navigate the large tankers used to refill the bowsers through smaller streets, and added there was a shortage of tanker drivers.Earlier the director of Severn Trent Water, David Wickens, said it had proved difficult to navigate the large tankers used to refill the bowsers through smaller streets, and added there was a shortage of tanker drivers.
Gloucestershire Police were called to Tewkesbury Rugby Club, on Gander Lane, at 0750 BST after it was reported that two people pumping water there could not be contacted.Gloucestershire Police were called to Tewkesbury Rugby Club, on Gander Lane, at 0750 BST after it was reported that two people pumping water there could not be contacted.
Members of the emergency services entered the building and found club treasurer Mr Lane and his son, who is believed to be in his 20s, dead at the scene.Members of the emergency services entered the building and found club treasurer Mr Lane and his son, who is believed to be in his 20s, dead at the scene.
The Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service warned that petrol pumps should always remain outside.The Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service warned that petrol pumps should always remain outside.
We have a team of crews who can pump out properties, so there is no need to take any unnecessary risks Chief fire officer Terry Standing More from Tewkesbury In pictures: getting water Flood water poses low risk href="/1/hi/health/6912007.stm">Coping without running water We have a team of crews who can pump out properties, so there is no need to take any unnecessary risks Chief fire officer Terry Standing More from Tewkesbury In pictures: getting water Flood water poses low risk href="/1/hi/uk/6918123.stm">Forecaster's fears for summer
Chief fire officer Terry Standing said anyone with any doubts about removing flood water should call the service on 01452 729 340.Chief fire officer Terry Standing said anyone with any doubts about removing flood water should call the service on 01452 729 340.
"We have a team of crews who can pump out properties, so there is no need to take any unnecessary risks," he said."We have a team of crews who can pump out properties, so there is no need to take any unnecessary risks," he said.
"There are also safety issues where people's electricity supply has been affected by flood water - please do not reconnect power supplies until they have been checked out by a professional electrician.""There are also safety issues where people's electricity supply has been affected by flood water - please do not reconnect power supplies until they have been checked out by a professional electrician."
Tewkesbury Rugby Football Club member Mark Allen paid tribute to Mr Lane.Tewkesbury Rugby Football Club member Mark Allen paid tribute to Mr Lane.
"Bram was basically the backbone of Tewkesbury Rugby Club," he said. "If anything needed doing Bram was always there, early hours of the morning, late at night. Basically, he was just a great guy.""Bram was basically the backbone of Tewkesbury Rugby Club," he said. "If anything needed doing Bram was always there, early hours of the morning, late at night. Basically, he was just a great guy."
Severn Trent Water - which says it could take a week to restore tap water to some homes in Gloucestershire - says some 10,000 homes in the Tewkesbury area should have mains water for washing and flushing toilets by Thursday night.Severn Trent Water - which says it could take a week to restore tap water to some homes in Gloucestershire - says some 10,000 homes in the Tewkesbury area should have mains water for washing and flushing toilets by Thursday night.
It has warned residents they must not drink the water - even if they have boiled it - but can use it for baths, showers and flushing toilets.It has warned residents they must not drink the water - even if they have boiled it - but can use it for baths, showers and flushing toilets.
Stomach bug riskStomach bug risk
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said the total number of flooded properties could eventually reach 15,000.Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said the total number of flooded properties could eventually reach 15,000.
But along the River Thames in Oxfordshire and Berkshire, fears of more flooding have eased after levels appeared to have stabilised overnight on Wednesday.But along the River Thames in Oxfordshire and Berkshire, fears of more flooding have eased after levels appeared to have stabilised overnight on Wednesday.
However, the Environment Agency still has three severe flood warnings in place - two on the Thames around Oxford, and one on the Ock, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire.However, the Environment Agency still has three severe flood warnings in place - two on the Thames around Oxford, and one on the Ock, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire.
Fears of flooding along the River Thames have eased Temporary supply for town Summer wettest on record Flooding starts to subside Homes escape floodingFears of flooding along the River Thames have eased Temporary supply for town Summer wettest on record Flooding starts to subside Homes escape flooding
The Health Protection Agency says the risk of contracting any illness is generally low, but people are advised to avoid coming into direct contact with floodwater.The Health Protection Agency says the risk of contracting any illness is generally low, but people are advised to avoid coming into direct contact with floodwater.
There is a small risk that people may contract a stomach bug if they come into contact with contaminated water, especially where there has been mixing with sewage.There is a small risk that people may contract a stomach bug if they come into contact with contaminated water, especially where there has been mixing with sewage.
The BBC Weather Centre said most places would have a quiet night with a dry start to Friday.The BBC Weather Centre said most places would have a quiet night with a dry start to Friday.
June was the wettest on record in the UK, with July heading the same way.June was the wettest on record in the UK, with July heading the same way.
In other developments:In other developments:
  • Farmers have warned that British-grown produce, including potatoes, peas and strawberries, could be in short supply because of floods and wet weather
  • Farmers have warned that British-grown produce, including potatoes, peas and strawberries, could be in short supply because of floods and wet weather
  • The Red Cross flood appeal has so far raised more than £500,000. The Queen, who is patron of the charity, has made a personal donation.
  • The Red Cross flood appeal has so far raised more than £500,000. The Queen, who is patron of the charity, has made a personal donation.
  • The government has given a series of undertakings that flooded areas will not be forgotten over the Commons summer recess, including a weekly conference call between MPs and the environment secretary
  • The government has given a series of undertakings that flooded areas will not be forgotten over the Commons summer recess, including a weekly conference call between MPs and the environment secretary
  • In Tewkesbury, police have said Mitchell Taylor, 19, who has not been seen since leaving a bar in the town at the height of the floods on Saturday, is still missing.
  • In Tewkesbury, police have said Mitchell Taylor, 19, who has not been seen since leaving a bar in the town at the height of the floods on Saturday, is still missing.
    • Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188Environment Agency floodline: 0845 988 1188
    SEVERE FLOOD WARNINGS IN PLACE The Thames: Severe warnings affecting Eynsham to Sandford Lock and also Little WittenhamThe Ock: Severe warnings from Charney Bassett to Abingdon SEVERE FLOOD WARNINGS IN PLACE The Thames: Severe warnings affecting Eynsham to Sandford Lock and also Little WittenhamThe Ock: Severe warnings from Charney Bassett to Abingdon
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    Have you been affected by the evacuation? How are the drinking water supplies so far? The BBC would like to hear from anyone affected by the floods. Please use the form below to tell us about your experiences.Have you been affected by the evacuation? How are the drinking water supplies so far? The BBC would like to hear from anyone affected by the floods. Please use the form below to tell us about your experiences.
    You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 61124.Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoYou can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 61124.Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
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