The Teddington Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) was involved in an attempted rescue in the flooded road alongside the White Swan pub in Twickenham.

The driver was unaware how deep the water was and was persuaded to leave the vehicle by Met Police and wait for recovery once the water subsided, which would have taken at least an hour.

Unfortunately, the car is unsalvageable.

A Teddington RNLI spokesperson said: "We would remind drivers and walkers along or near the tow path that the River Thames that it is tidal from the Thames estuary upstream to Teddington Lock and that sometimes the tow path and roads adjacent to the river will also flood during especially high tides.

"Do not attempt to drive through flooded roads or walk along flooded tow paths as there may be obstacles and changes in depth below the surface which are not visible.

"If you see someone in trouble in or near the water in the tidal River Thames, call 999 for the Coastguard."

Jan Lowe, volunteer crew on board the D class lifeboat that day said: "The initial reports were of a man trapped in a car at high tide by the White Swan pub in Twickenham.

"As we approached the vehicle along the road, which was flooded due to the very high tide, it became clear there was no immediate threat to life which was a relief to the crew.

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"We helped the gentleman from the car, he was very grateful and hadn't realised the water was so deep. A good outcome for something that could have been much more serious."