Twins die after flood rescue bid

Tewkesbury was left under water (Pic Lesley O'Brien)

Twins born prematurely to a woman in her flooded home have died.

The woman's family raised the alarm but she had already given birth at the family home in Tewkesbury by the time the RAF rescue helicopters arrived.

The babies, who were born at 21 weeks, and their mother were airlifted in two separate helicopters to Cheltenham General Hospital, police said.

Describing the situation as tragic, a police spokesperson said everything possible was done to save the babies.

"The twins were winched into one helicopter and the mother into another helicopter," said Flt Lt Douglas Larkam, of the B Flight 22 Squadron, based in Suffolk.

"As I understand it, she had given birth moments before we arrived."

"To be winched into a helicopter must have been pretty nerve-wracking for her. To her credit, she was quite calm during the flight."

The rescue took place just after 0500 BST on Saturday, 21 July.