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Two dead after flooding accident Two dead after flooding accident
(about 1 hour later)
Two people have died in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, after they tried to pump water from a flooded rugby club. Two people have died in Gloucestershire after they tried to pump water from a flooded rugby club.
It is thought the two, who were using a petrol-powered pump, may have been overcome by fumes. The two were using a petrol-powered pump at the Tewkesbury club, and may have been overcome by fumes.
Meanwhile, more than 340,000 people in Gloucestershire remain without water after a treatment plant flooded, and health and sanitation fears persist.Meanwhile, more than 340,000 people in Gloucestershire remain without water after a treatment plant flooded, and health and sanitation fears persist.
Severn Trent Water says the army will now be responsible for refilling mobile street dispensers, or bowsers. Severn Trent Water says the army is now helping with the planning of refilling mobile street dispensers, or bowsers.
See map of severe flood warnings See map of severe flood warnings
After the deaths in Tewkesbury, the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service warned that petrol pumps should always remain outside, or electric-powered pumps should be used. Gloucestershire Police were called to Tewkesbury Rugby Club, on Gander Lane, at 0750 BST after it had been reported that two people pumping water there could not be contacted.
Chief fire officer Terry Standing said anyone with any doubts about removing flood water should call the service. 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 class="" href="/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/6917208.stm">More from Tewkesbury class="" href="/1/hi/health/6917124.stm">Flood water poses low risk
Members of the emergency services entered the building and found the two men dead at the scene. Next of kin are being informed.
The Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service warned that petrol pumps should always remain outside, or electric-powered pumps should be used.
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."
HAVE YOUR SAY I 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
Severn Trent Water - which says it could take two weeks to restore tap water to some homes in Gloucestershire - hopes to restore water to 10,000 Tewkesbury homes from Thursday.Severn Trent Water - which says it could take two weeks to restore tap water to some homes in Gloucestershire - hopes to restore water to 10,000 Tewkesbury homes from Thursday.
PM Gordon Brown said water supply needed to be stepped up Temporary supply for town Coping with flood waters Flooding starts to subside Homes escape flooding
But it has warned residents they must not drink the water - even if they have boiled it - but that they can use it for baths, showers and flushing toilets.
In Gloucestershire, residents have complained that bowsers have been running dry, while the police have said there has been some selfish behaviour among some residents over water.In Gloucestershire, residents have complained that bowsers have been running dry, while the police have said there has been some selfish behaviour among some residents over water.
A Severn Trent Water spokeswoman said the army was now helping refill the bowsers and "we should hopefully see an improvement".A Severn Trent Water spokeswoman said the army was now helping refill the bowsers and "we should hopefully see an improvement".
Earlier, director David Wickens said it had proved difficult to navigate the large tankers used to refill the bowsers through the smaller streets, and also said there was a shortage of tanker drivers.Earlier, director David Wickens said it had proved difficult to navigate the large tankers used to refill the bowsers through the smaller streets, and also said there was a shortage of tanker drivers.
Stomach bug riskStomach bug risk
Meanwhile, fears of more flooding along the River Thames in Oxfordshire and Berkshire have eased after levels appear to have stabilised overnight.Meanwhile, fears of more flooding along the River Thames in Oxfordshire and Berkshire have eased after levels appear to have stabilised overnight.
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.
PM Gordon Brown said water supply needed to be stepped up class="" href="/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/6916819.stm">Temporary supply for town class="" href="/1/hi/health/6912007.stm">Coping with flood waters class="" href="/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/6916813.stm">Flooding starts to subside href="/1/hi/england/berkshire/6916915.stm">Homes escape flooding HAVE YOUR SAY I 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 href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6893&edition=1&ttl=20070720094446">Send us your experiences
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.
BBC weather forecasters say flood-hit areas are expecting about 10mm (0.4in) to 15mm (0.6in) of rain on Thursday.BBC weather forecasters say flood-hit areas are expecting about 10mm (0.4in) to 15mm (0.6in) of rain on Thursday.
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.
Meanwhile, growers have warned that British-grown potatoes could be in short supply because of floods. In other developments:
Tyrrells crisps founder William Chase said up to 60% of his 700 acres of potato crops in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire could be lost because of the weather.
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  • Farmers have warned that British-grown produce, including potatoes, peas and strawberries, could be in short supply because of floods and wet weather
  • 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
Christine Tacon, general manager of Co-operative Farms, said that as well as the floods, general wet weather was affecting many of its farms from Aberdeenshire to Hampshire, and they were having difficulty getting harvesting machinery into the fields.
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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