FOUR people were left stranded in their car when their Mercedes Benz stalled and got stuck on a ford in the New Forest.

Firefighters from Ringwood were called to Forest Road in Burley at after 10pm when the car tried to cross the swollen Mill Lawn Brook before getting stuck.

The people, who did not want to be named, were on their way to Verwood when the incident occurred.

After recovering the vehicle an hour later, fire crews put tap across the road to prevent any further drivers making the same mistake.

A spokesman from Ringwood fire service: “Four people were stranded in their car that got stuck in a watersplash in the New Forest yesterday evening and firefighters helped rescue them.

“The incident happened in Forest Road at Burley Street when the Mercedes-Benz tried to cross the swollen Mill Lawn Brook but after fording the deepest part, the engine stalled and could not be restarted.

“A fire crew from Ringwood helped the people to safety and they did not require the assistance of the South Central Ambulance Service that sent its HART team to the scene.

“A water rescue unit was also mobilised but was not required.”