POLICE have revealed how they moved quickly to beat the rising tide and rescue a family trapped by flood water.

On Sunday, a white Suzuki Splash, which was carrying four people, including an eight-year-old child, came into trouble after hitting flood water near Bellingham while travelling back to Sunderland from the Kielder area.

Police were called at 12.15pm, but due to the rural location of the car, the female driver was unable to access Google maps to let officers know her exact location.

With reports that the water level was rising, officers sprang into action to find the trapped car in time.

On the ground, officers travelled along the expected route of the car with the assistance of the police helicopter which searched the surrounding area.

The flooding car was located soon after and the family were rescued by officers.

Neighbourhood Inspector Pam Bridges, has now warned other drivers to take care during dangerous storms, especially on country roads.

She said: “Some of our more rural roads can be much more dangerous when it comes to bad weather. Branches and other items can blow into the road and due to the tight corners on these roads drivers need to take extra care.

“Country roads often run alongside rivers and streams which can become flooded during heavy rain and rising water. So we’re asking drivers and pedestrians to take care when using these roads and to look out for one another when out and about.

“We also advise downloading the app ‘What3Words’ so that if you do come into trouble we can find out your exact location. This is incredibly helpful on our vast system of unnamed roads and rural landscape.

“It only takes a minute and it could save your life.”