‘Water started rushing in’: Bus fills with water as it tries to get passengers home during Abbey Wood flood

Cars were left stranded and water rushed into a bus in Abbey Wood last night as roads filled with water during a huge flood.

Four fire engines and about 25 firefighters tackled the flood, which covered the roundabout where Yarnton Way, Harrow Manorway and Eynsham Drive meet, between 6.15pm and 9.30pm last night. 

A 50-metre cordon remains in place at the roundabout and motorists are advised to continue to avoid the area, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) warned. The cause of the flood followed heavy rain across the capital.

Charlie Robery, 32, from Thamesmead, was travelling home from work when he encountered the flood which, he said, had “completely blocked off paths” and “flooded cars”.

A video showing the bus Mr Robery was on, driving through water up to its windows (Picture: Charlie Robery)

He said: “I was coming off the Elizabeth Line train at Abbey Wood as usual. I had heard from my wife – who was a bit ahead – that there was a flood, but I didn’t realise how bad it was. 

“Luckily she was picking up our son from school because I wouldn’t have made it.”

Mr Robery was on the bus home when the driver stopped after seeing the road ahead filled with water.

He said: “About four other buses had abandoned their journeys and stopped before the flood. The driver said he would be driving through, and a couple of people who were standing stranded nearby got on. 

“It was like being on a boat. Water was up to the window ledge.

A video shows water flooding the bus (Picture: Charlie Robery)

“Buses aren’t watertight. There are gaps in the doors and water started rushing in.

“It was quite an empty bus, Luckily there were no prams or workmen with electrical equipment.

“But there was an elderly man who looked concerned. I could see him trying to work out how he was going to make it home.”

Mr Robery said the bus managed to pass through the flood and everyone got off safely.

Several vehicles were stranded in floodwater but all motorists managed to get out of their cars before the LFB arrived, a spokesman said.

Firefighters were also at the scene of flooding in Nathan Way, Plumstead, where a road closure was in place.

A spokesman from the LFB said: “Firefighters have worked alongside multi-agency service partners to reduce the level of floodwater.

“Efforts are ongoing by partners to clear standing water from the area.”

Pictured top: Cars stranded as roads flooded in Abbey Wood last night (Picture: Charlie Robery)