I agree its stupid or maybe just very ill informed, but I think its a high price to pay (although no doubt insurance coughed up!). Provided thay were not bothering other road users or damaging the countryside I dont think its a huge problem, although it does not help the image of 4x4's.
Im sure when we had the floods I saw a ford ranger stuck ina big puddle/small flood in stroud, cars were getting through so I think they were playing (making big splash) and flooded it! plonker.