Storm Bert horror as baby is trapped inside car sinking in floodwater in front of mum

The couple's vehicle got caught in the firing line of raging floodwaters in West Yorkshire - which saw their 11-month-old baby trapped in agressive floods brought on by Storm Bert

A mum has told of the terrifying moment she watched her 11-month-old baby get trapped inside a car sinking in agressive floodwaters brought on by Storm Bert.

The "multi-hazard event", which has already claimed the lives of three men, left several towns submerged in water and more than 20,000 households without power on Saturday.

Dad Andre Randles' car got caught in the firing line of raging floodwaters in West Yorkshire yesterday. He rushed over to rescue his baby son when the Volkswagen hatchback became submerged in Todmorden, as the tot's horrified mum, Paige Newsome, watched on.

Responding to a photo of the sinking car uploaded by another user, Paige wrote on Facebook: "This is our car, such a scary experience for Andre having to pull himself and our 11 month old baby out of the car windows, whilst the water was flooding into the car. "

The mum then slammed the council, claiming the road has been dangerous for years whenever there is heavy rain.

She said: "Alderdale Council need to sort this out ASAP! They have been getting notified about this part of Woodhouse Road multiple times by the owners of the house next to where our car is parked. I cannot thank those owners enough for taking Andre and Luca into their home and helping them."

The couple had driven into the water assuming it was shallow, but quickly realised there was a hidden dip in the road that began sucking their car under.

In a race against time, hero dad Andre managed to pull the baby out of a window before the traumatised pair were taken in by a local who helped them shelter from the storm. But Paige says she is still haunted by the ordeal, as she added: "You never know what could have happened.

"Just imagine if my partner didn’t think fast enough to get the windows open to climb out and then get my son out. I dread to think."

A flood warning and siren was issued in Todmorden, on Saturday, with floodgates opened to help manage river levels.

Calderdale Council told residents yesterday: "Please drive carefully as there is still surface water and debris on many roads. Only make essential journeys. Stay safe."