More than 800 homes called the fire department for help in the Greek capital on Friday after heavy rains caused flooding throughout the greater Athens region.<br/> <br />Residents helped a woman escape from her car in a dramatic rescue as floodwaters lashed the vehicle.<br/> <br />In a separate incident Athens police said another woman trapped in her car managed to escape but died shortly afterwards. Police said she did not drown, but it is believed she suffered a heart attack.<br/> <br />Sudden, incessant rainstorms that began early on Friday and lasted for several hours caused riverbeds to overflow, taking parked cars with them, and flooded several neighbourhoods.<br/> <br />In east Athens a bridge was immersed in water from an overflowed river which also dragged a car away, while highways circling the capital were also immersed. The floodwaters reached the coastal beaches, flowing into the sea and tossing over sand and beach umbrellas.
