CROWDS gathered on Worcester's Sabrina Bridge this morning to watch crews remove a car from the River Severn.

The Canal and River Trust worked with Hughes Sub Surface Engineers to remove the blue Kia from the river near to Worcester Rowing Club this morning.

The car completely sank beneath the water after rolling in on Thursday, and it took crews two hours to get the car out after divers were sent in to assess the situation.

 

Mark Mills from the Canal and River Trust said this is the first time he's seen a car pulled from the River Severn in his 20 years in the job.

"Because of where the car is it's blocking the navigational route and there is a chance a boat could hit it so we had to come get it out. There was also a concern about pollution so the Environment Agency is here too. But because of the size of the car, as it's petrol and as the owner said the tank was almost empty we haven't been too concerned and no leakage has surfaced. But if some comes to the surface when we raise the car we are prepared. The Swan Rescue team is here too."

A small amount of oil went in to the water when the car was raised.

Divers were in the water for a total of 17 minutes, assessing the position of the car and hooking it up to a crane that was on a barge ready to hoist the car out.

The car will now be taken to Diglis river lock where it will be unloaded and returned to the owner.