Flood terror in tourist village

Fifteen people are still believed to be missing today after a popular Cornish village was devastated by a freak deluge.

Emergency services resumed their hunt at first light in Boscastle, with police divers checking up to 60 cars washed into the sea for bodies. It is believed more than 50 people were trapped in cars by the flood.

The village-has about 200 residents but it is not known how many holidaymakers were in the area. The emergency services were still trying to get a clear picture of the numbers involved but have estimated up to 1,000 were in need of help during the rescue.

As the clean-up operation began, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott was in the north Cornwall village to see the scale of the flooding. He said: "The Government can help in these situations and we will be looking at that once the emergency situation has been dealt with. I was amazed when I saw the scale of what has happened."

He saw how the force of the water had piled trees and branches high against buildings and how shop fronts had been ripped out and buildings partially demolished.

Forecasters say there will be no let-up in the weather today, with more heavy rain expected.

Eight people went to hospital for broken bones, minor injuries, hypothermia and shock after one month's rain fell in less than two hours yesterday. With floodwater running at up to 40mph, up to 60 cars were washed away, roads were broken up and at least six buildings and a stone bridge were wrecked.

Cars were overturned, large trees were ripped out and strewn across the main street and vehicles were washed into the harbour. Amid thunder and lightning, seven helicopters, 20 fire engines and two lifeboats were scrambled. Electricity was cut for safety reasons as people climbed into trees and lit fires to attract help. Some trapped residents punched holes through the roof to escape.

Dozens we re plucked to safety by the helicopters as 150 members of the emergency services rescued 120 stranded people. Among them were two adults and a baby rescued from a car as it was about to be washed away. RAF spokesman Michael Mulford said: "We were picking people out of trees, off the bank, and taking them out of cars." Holidaymaker Wayne Grundy said: "Cars started coming down the high street and out to sea. I saw a caravan and two cars washed over the top of a bridge."

Scores of people were given overnight shelter in the visitor centre, including Georgia Gifkans, 14, from Stevenage, who had been staying with her father at a bed and breakfast. She said: "My father and I got onto the roof of the Riverside Hotel. It was frightening." A police spokesman appealed to people in the area yesterday or who abandoned their cars to let them know they are safe. "As we find where some of the unaccounted for people are, others join the list," he said. Two search and rescue trained dogs are being flown in by helicopter to help the search.

Paul Tyler, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, said: "I think that the Government is prepared to recognise that this is a major disaster for a small community of this sort."

The village has had offers of help from around the world and talks on setting up a disaster fund will be held soon. The local vicar, the Rev Christine Musser, was today comforting villagers.