FIREFIGHTERS took to flood waters in a dinghy to rescue a family of five trapped in their car after a Suffolk river burst its banks.

FIREFIGHTERS took to flood waters in a dinghy to rescue a family of five trapped in their car after a Suffolk river burst its banks.

Two parents and three youngsters, believed to be from the Brentwood area, got into difficulties after their car broke down on Wood Road, Bruisyard, near Framlingham, trying to get through the water at about 4.30pm today.

The water was halfway up the vehicle's front doors and Assistant Divisional Officer Simon Hurst, based at Lowestoft, was at the scene with 12 firefighters from Ipswich and Lowestoft.

He said: “The river there burst its banks and was deeper than they would have wanted to get out into.

“They were safe in their car and there was no danger of them being swept away, but they were right to call us.

“They got out the back door and into the boat with lifejackets on and were then brought out of the flood water and kept warm until relatives arrived for them.”