EMERGENCY services in Teignbridge and the rest of the county have been kept busy over the last 24 hours dealing with the fag-end of Storm Angus. Appalling driving conditions in torrential rain saw police responding to a rush of 15 road accidents across South Devon and the rest of the region.

A police spokesman said: ‘This was the first storm response of the season. It was a busy night across the force area. There was an impressive multi-agency response to significant flooding.’

Five pumps were despatched to help one motorist whose car crashed off the A38 near Drumbridges towards Bickington during this morning’s (November 21) rush-hour. Two crews from Newton Abbot - together with ones from Exeter, Bovey Tracey and Ashburton - had difficulties finding the vehicle in the dreadful conditions. Problems were not helped by the vague details given of the exact location.

The driver, reported to be trapped in his car, was found to be unhurt when the emergency crews eventually tracked him. They were able to make the vehicle safe. A fire spokesman said: ‘Our response was made on the understanding there may have actually been more than one incident.’ The matter was reported at 8.45am.

On the A379 at Holcombe police and highways teams were called to a flooded section of the road near the Smugglers Inn pub where the depth of water on the carriageway was reckoned to be nearly 2ft deep. Weather experts were anticipating further problems with heavy downpours throughout the day.