A man trapped in rising floodwaters credits his Ledlenser X21R torch for summoning help and ultimately saving his life.
In the early hours of December 31, 2023, a man found himself in a perilous situation in Crow Mills, South Wigston, Leicestershire. Stuck in his car, surrounded by rising floodwaters, his life hung in the balance.
Leicestershire Police received reports of a stranded vehicle submerged in water, its wheels barely visible. Recognising the urgency of the situation, they swiftly summoned the assistance of the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service. Two crews from Wigston, along with the technical rescue team from Leicester fire station in Meridian Way, responded to the call for help.
The man at the centre of this harrowing incident,who wishes to remain anonymous, later shared his personal account of the dramatic events. In a heartfelt message, he recounted how he found himself submerged in 12 feet of water, with no access to his mobile phone and time running out rapidly. It was in this dire moment that his Ledlenser X21R torch emerged as an unlikely hero.
As the water rose around him, the man’s only lifeline was his Ledlenser torch, equipped with an emergency SOS beam. With the flick of a switch, the powerful light emitted distress signals that caught the attention of a local helicopter pilot passing overhead. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the pilot promptly alerted the emergency services and remained on the scene until help arrived.
For nearly an hour, the man clung to hope as the SOS signals guided the emergency services to his location. The Leicestershire Fire & Rescue team, equipped and prepared for a technical water rescue, navigated the treacherous floodwaters to reach him.
Following the rescue operation, the man spent a considerable amount of time recovering at Leicester Royal Infirmary Hospital. Both the hospital staff and the Leicestershire Fire & Rescue team acknowledged the pivotal role played by the Ledlenser torch, emphasising that it had, indeed, saved his life.
In a heartfelt expression of gratitude, the man conveyed his appreciation to Ledlenser for manufacturing a torch that doubled as a beacon of hope. He said: “The torch saved my life if I did NOT have it, I would sadly not be here today. I really want to thank you.”
A spokesperson from Ledlenser said: “We are profoundly moved by his words and are incredibly relieved to hear that our Ledlenser torch played a crucial role in saving his life. His heartfelt gratitude fuels our dedication to providing reliable tools. We wish him continued safety and many more bright moments ahead.”
