NEWMARKET, N.H. --
Firefighters rescued a couple trapped inside their sport utility vehicle after driving off a flooded road in Newmarket on Tuesday night, nearly tipping over.
Rescue workers rushed to River Street, which was covered with high water, and found the SUV on the verge of tipping over off the edge of the road and into a drainage ditch.
"The vehicle was on the verge of tipping over. (It was) taking on water. So, we had to stabilize the vehicle to remove the occupants safely," Newmarket Fire Chief Rick Malasky said.
According to the Newmarket Fire Department, an elderly couple from Durham was trying to make their way home but got confused because of all the detours due to flooding.
Nearby residents said they saw the submerged SUV and rushed to help before the first rescue workers arrived.
"We walked through the water to see if they were OK, if they needed help to get out," said Crystal Plourde, of Newmarket.
The Newmarket Fire Department carefully helped the passenger out first. The woman put her arm around a rescue worker and was lifted out of the water to dry and safe ground.
Then, the driver, who had been sitting waist-deep in water, was helped out of the passenger side as well.
Both people were taken to an awaiting ambulance. Rescue workers said the couple will be OK.
Lamprey River Floods Several Homes
Several homes on River Street are surrounded by water with boats tied by the front doors. The Lamprey River continued to rage through Newmarket, where the fire chief said the river has crested but flood waters had yet to recede.
Malasky said drivers should be extremely cautious trying to cross streets where they can't see the pavement.
"We have road closure signs. People are desperate to find their way around, and, at night, it increases your odds of driving off the road," Malasky said.
Malasky said the couple was evaluated for hypothermia but they did not have to go to the hospital.
This marked the second water rescue to which Newmarket firefighters have responded during the flooding.
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