A HAMPSHIRE police officer has been rescued today – after his patrol car was marooned in flood water.

The Skoda came to a halt in deep water at Derritt Lane between Bransgore and Sopley in the New Forest, which has been shut for two weeks due to flooding.

Private firm Wessex Fire and Rescue came to the aid of the officer, who had driven through the water despite there already being an abandoned and submerged vehicle on the road.

Two men pushed the car towards dry land while the officer was sitting inside steering.

It comes despite numerous warnings from police in recent weeks for drivers to avoid flooded sections of road.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: “Yesterday morning an officer was returning from a response call when he drove through some water in Derritt Lane, Bransgore.

“He was following several other cars that had successfully driven through the water without any difficulty, but, unfortunately, the marked Skoda Scout he was driving broke down.

“The water level did not exceed wheel height and there was no ingress of water into the interior of the car, however, the vehicle unfortunately stopped.

“It has now been recovered and will be examined at our workshops to determine the exact nature of the breakdown.

“We will then know more after as to the extent of the damage.”