A MAN was still recovering in hospital from the effects of hypothermia, as more details emerged about how he was plucked to safety by helicopter and being stranded in floodwater. The man - who is in his 40s and from Heacham - is believed to have became st

A MAN was still recovering in hospital from the effects of hypothermia, as more details emerged about how he was plucked to safety by helicopter and being stranded in floodwater.

The man - who is in his 40s and from Heacham - is believed to have became stuck in the water at Welney, on the Norfolk - Cambridgeshire border, after trying to drive across the flooded A1101 road.

Resucers believe he may have been in the freezing cold water for between six and eight hours before anglers fishing on the nearby Delph heard his cries for help and raised the alarm on Sunday morning.

The man was airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at around 10am on Sunday by an RAF Sea King helicopter.

Fire crews from Norfolk and Cambridgeshire had been called to the scene but were unable to reach the man.

The Air Sea Rescue helicopter winched down a crew member to pick up the victim, who was waist-deep in water and hanging on to a tree branch.

Flight Lieutenant Andy Ball, said: "It was a pretty straight forward rescue and took only a few minutes as we spotted him in the water as soon as we arrived. It is pretty unusual for us to be called to deal with an inland water job."

Last night a hospital spokesman said the man was recovering, but was still quite poorly.

Water on the Ouse Washes flood plain has risen to cover the A1101, leaving it impassable for most vehicles.

The parish council and South-West Norfolk MP Christopher Fraser are calling on action to resolve the problem, which is having a devastating impact on day-to-day life for local people.

The parish council has written to a number of departments and organisations calling for help and also trying to get a coalition of villages to act together in raising the issue.