Driver rescued after car plunges into River Stour in Christchurch during boat launch

A HORRIFIED car owner had to be rescued from the River Stour at Christchurch harbour after the vehicle he was driving plunged into the water while he was launching a boat.

The man’s Honda was left half submerged in the river and he had to scramble out of a side window to escape the rising water.

Members of the public went to help before an RNLI coastguard team arrived at the scene, bringing in specialist equipment to tow the car out of the river.

One onlooker told how watched the drama unfold at the slipway: “I think it was just a case of human error," he said.

“The man was trying to launch his boat when suddenly the car plunged into the river. A few of us on the bank went to his aid.

“He was very shocked and not saying very much.”