A man who blocked a road and refused to let a fire engine responding to an emergency past has been convicted of obstructing an emergency worker.
On 6 January this year firefighters were rushing to help two people trapped in a car in floodwater in Lindridge, when they found the A443 at Newnham Bridge blocked by Adam Smith.
The 52-year-old from Tenbury Wells had deliberately blocked the road with two vehicles, and refused to move them despite the firefighters explaining that they were responding to an emergency.
They had to turn around and take a different route, which meant it took longer to reach the scene.
Smith appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday (9 September 2025) where he was ordered to pay a £220 fine, £620 of costs and an £88 victim surcharge.
Following today’s hearing, PC Molly Smith said: “The actions of Smith were totally irresponsible and had the very real potential to endanger lives.
“Obstructing any emergency worker is an offence, but when they are responding to an emergency it’s even more incomprehensible.
“In this situation the victims trapped in the flood water had to wait longer for help, which could have had catastrophic consequences. Thankfully they were OK, but the outcome could have been very different. It also put the firefighters at increased risk as they arrived from a different direction so had a longer stretch of water to wade through, and flood water levels had risen during the delay.”
Useful information on keeping safe during flooding can be found on the Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service website- https://orlo.uk/AlevH
