Public-spiritied Susan Ball directed traffic from her mobility scooter as freak weather brought down power lines blocking Canvey's busiest road.

Director of operations - Susan Ball who controlled the traffic along Long Road Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

She spent more than an hour ensuring motorists' safety in Long Road as high winds caused flooding, uprooted trees and lightning strikes across south Essex.

Susan, from Little Gypps Close, Canvey, saved hundreds of motorists from a long diversion round the island, after gusts ripped a tree from its roots in Long Road.

From her motorised mobility car, she directed cars down nearby Convent Road.

Terry Sessions, 49, who witnessed her public spirited actions from the Canvey Conservative Club, off Long Road, said: "She must have just been going past when she saw what had happened and decided to take control of the situation."

Published Thursday July 8, 2004

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