The owner of a new Aston Martin was left in trouble when he failed to cross a deep ford in Essex. The silver £165,000 Vantage seemingly lost power partway through the water at a bend in the road at Buttsbury Wash, near Billericay in Essex.
The area is known to be a trouble spot for vehicles, with cars regularly getting stuck when drivers underestimate the water's depth. Video footage shows the car accelerating into the water before grinding to a halt around two-thirds of the way through.
The driver, dressed in a black t-shirt, red shorts, and sunglasses, was forced to climb out into shin-high water to call for help. He was heard on the phone saying, "The car's not filling up, but it's obviously got into the engine." Responding to a question, he added that the engine "just cut out." "It just didn't look that deep," he remarked.
Roadside assistance later arrived and towed the car out of the water. The footage also showed other vehicles traversing the water more successfully.
One female driver jokingly pumped her fist in the direction of the person filming after getting her car safely across. While larger cars and vans appeared to have little trouble, smaller models such as a Fiat 500 and a Ford Fiesta had a more challenging time, though slow and steady driving helped them navigate the obstacle.
The AA recommends that drivers do not attempt to pass through water deeper than 10cm unless they are in a 4x4 or other raised vehicle. Drivers are advised to proceed slowly at 3-4 mph, use higher revs than usual, and avoid stalling or stopping.