Floods' rising toll of misery

Rescuers bid to find survivors in deluge as deaths reach 158

- PATRICK HILL

RESCUERS were last night locked in a desperate search for survivors of the Spanish floods that have killed at least 158 people.

But there are fears the death toll will rise as the surge of water left many trapped in their cars or homes.

And residents told how the scenes of horror unfolded so quickly there was little time to escape, amid claims the torrential rains were caused by climate change and warnings of more disasters to come across Europe, and Britain.

A 71-year-old Briton was among the dead as the deluge engulfed the city of Valencia and surrounding areas.

Survivor Luis Sanchez said: "I saw bodies floating past. I called out but nothing. I tried to help and rescue people. People were crying all over, they were trapped."

Another, Miguel Guerrilla, added: "We all know someone who has died. It's a nightmare." Briton Karen Loftus told how she and husband Steve had a "brush with death" after flooding turned roads into floating graveyards.

The pair, from Dorset, were driving on a motorway from Valencia to Alicante when they saw a bridge swept away before them.

Karen, 62, told how the water had "risen up and started to come into the car" and they could not open the doors due the mounting pressure.

She and Steve desperately clambered out of the windows before being rescued by a heroic lorry driver.