Tragedy latest in long line of incidents at Headley Ford

The incident, which has resulted in the death of a man and a lucky escape for a woman currently being treated for shock at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, is one that will surprise few living near the ford, as similar stories of helpless motorists becoming stranded in the water stretch back many years.
In January local residents criticised drivers for attempting to drive through the ford after emergency services saved a marooned motorist from two feet of water.
A second incident at the scene occurred just two weeks later, leading firefighters to call for improved signs near Thornford Road, on the Hampshire/Berkshire border.
Just last Thursday, a lorry also become stuck in three feet of water at the same spot, requiring help again to escape.
In 2010 Newburytoday.co.uk reported how fire crews saved the life of a woman who was unable to get out of her car after it had got stuck in “waist deep” water at the ford following heavy rainfall. It was the second occurrence in as many weeks.
And in December 2006, the Newbury Weekly news reported on a woman who was rescued from the roof of her car after becoming stuck in the ford.
The operation involved 21 firefighters and five fire engines.
In January 2007, we also reported on two men who escaped after their lorry was marooned in the ford and in May 2007, the fifth motorist that year was towed to safety in his BMW X3.
Headley villager of six years, Peter Hemmings, who lives near the ford, told the Newbury Weekly News that motorists got stuck in the water every week.
Mr Hemmings added that the water was never less than two feet deep, even in dry spells, and driving through it would ruin a diesel engine, while a petrol engine was likely to get damp and then refuse to start.
In November, Headley villager Simon Hiscock, who has helped to tow out around 30 vehicles from the ford, called for cars to be banned from driving through it.
He said it was only passable by certain types of vehicles.
Before tragedy struck today Hampshire County Council had said it was looking into the possibility of changing the warning signs at the ford following the incidents but added that the road could not be closed as it was a right of way.