Couple Sit On Volkswagen Tiguan’s Roof To Escape Flood: Rescued After 2 Hours [Video]

When you see a flooded river crossing, the best thing is to avoid driving on it. However, sometimes people learn these basic things in a very hard way. Recently, showing how things can become extremely dangerous in moments, an incident from Gujarat has been shared. What happened was a couple was stranded for two hours on top of their Volkswagen Tiguan SUV, which got swept away by the strong-flowing river. Thankfully, both were safely rescued in time.

Sabarkantha, Gujarat: Near Kadiyadra in Idar, three people were swept away with their car in the Karol River. The accident occurred while attempting to cross a bridge despite the fast-flowing water pic.twitter.com/ILIAEkelHB

— IANS (@ians_india) September 8, 2024

It has been reported that this particular incident took place in Sabarkantha district. In the video shared on X by IANS, a couple can be seen stranded on top of their Volkswagen Tiguan SUV. Reportedly, they were sitting on top of their vehicle for nearly two hours after coming out of its panoramic sunroof.

What happened?

As per the sources, the incident occurred on Sunday when the couple attempted to cross an overflowing causeway over the high-speed flowing Karol River. The couple, Suresh and Naina Mistry, were crossing the flooded causeway near Idar town.

The reports stated that Suresh was confident that it was safe to cross the river as another vehicle successfully crossed the road. However, as he drove into the water, the river’s currents suddenly increased.

Due to this, his Volkswagen Tiguan was swept away and was carried for about 1.5 kilometers from the causeway before coming to a halt. By the time it stopped, the car was almost fully submerged, with only the roof visible above the floodwaters.

How did the couple survive?

Soon after the couple realized that their SUV was drowning in the river, they managed to exit the car from its panoramic sunroof and sat on the roof. Reportedly, they remained stranded for nearly two hours while waiting for rescue. The videos show that the couple was being watched and filmed by numerous people from nearby villages.

Rescue mission

Sabarkantha, Gujarat: Near Kadiyadra in Idar, three people were swept away with their car in the Karol River while crossing a bridge. After the water flow decreased, Idar and Himmatnagar fire teams, along with local authorities, rescued a woman and a man safely pic.twitter.com/spFYMbBWM8

— IANS (@ians_india) September 8, 2024

After they settled at one spot, there were people who were trying to rescue the couple. However, due to the strong current, it became nearly impossible for people to approach the car. Kamal Patel, the fire officer leading the operation, explained that the team had to wait for the water level to decrease before they could attempt a rescue.

Meanwhile, a rescue team equipped with a boat was dispatched to the scene. Following this, when the water level gradually reduced, the fire department personnel were able to reach the stranded couple using ropes. They successfully brought them to safety just before the boat arrived.

After the rescue, Suresh Mistry explained that he had misjudged the water’s depth and speed after seeing another vehicle cross ahead of him. However, the situation changed dramatically once they were in the middle of the causeway.

He stated, “As we were crossing, the water rose and the current became so strong that our car got swept away for about 1.5 kilometers.” The couple immediately called for help, contacting the fire brigade and the police.

How to Avoid Getting Stuck in a Flooded Causeway

As we have reported numerous times before, incidents like these are becoming increasingly common. They are especially becoming common in areas prone to sudden flash floods and rising river levels. Now, although this couple was rescued in time, it must be noted that such help might not be available for everyone. So here are some points to avoid such incidents.

Avoid Crossing Flooded Areas

The first one, without a doubt, is to avoid crossing flooded roads and bridges. Even if the water seems shallow or other vehicles have crossed, the situation can change rapidly. Floodwaters are often deeper and faster-moving than they appear. So, it is essential to wait until the water recedes completely before attempting to cross.

Understand Your Vehicle’s Limits

Every vehicle has its limits when it comes to water wading, and even larger SUVs like the Volkswagen Tiguan, with higher ground clearance, can also be swept away, as mentioned in the above incident. You have to understand that no vehicle is invincible, so it is critical to know your vehicle’s capabilities and avoid pushing those limits.

Turn Back if in Doubt

If you come upon a flooded road or causeway, the safest option is to turn around and find an alternative route. Do not risk crossing, even if the water looks manageable. The above incident and many others like it have proven that crossing such streams is not worth it.

Listen to Local Authorities

Another important tip is to carefully listen to any warnings from local authorities regarding road safety during flooding. They often have the most up-to-date information on water levels and road conditions. If they say not to cross the road, listen to them and avoid getting swept away.