4:51PM, Sat Jul 7, 2012

Man Killed In Northumberland As UK Reels From Rain And Floods

By Hugh Macknight Location: Northumberland

A man in Northumberland has become the first casualty of the latest floods to batter the UK, as heavy rainfall continues.

The man, who has not been named but who was in his early 20s, died after his car came off the road during torrential rain on the A68 between Broomley Grange and Heally in Kiln Pit Hill, East Tynedale.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "At 12.25am, police received a report that a car had left the road.

"Officers and paramedics attended the scene and the driver of the car, a man in his early 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

"A section of the road was closed for four hours to allow for recovery.

"Enquiries are ongoing into the incident.

"Police are advising everyone to take care on the roads as there is still a lot of standing water around which could cause problems for drivers."

Three severe flood warnings and almost 140 flood alerts have been issued by the Met Office for England and Wales, 13 flood warnings were issued in Scotland for Edinburgh and the Lothians and in the Borders.