Mansfield: Police officers save motorist from sinking car

A driver whose car rolled into a lake was rescued by police who dragged him to safety after smashing a window.

Nottinghamshire Police said the man was pulled from the sinking vehicle late on Wednesday by officers who had responded to reports of a disturbance at an address in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, near Mansfield.

About an hour later, the officers found a car believed to have been involved in the incident, which was parked in Lakeview Drive, Annesley.

As they approached the vehicle, it rolled down a grass bank into the lake.

Detective Sergeant Dave Prest, from Nottinghamshire Police, said: “As the car sank, the driver was seen with inches of air between his head and the roof.

“The officers showed real courage and determination by wading into the freezing cold water to rescue him.

“Police officers always put the safety of the public first and are always there when people are in their hour of need.

“With support from our emergency service colleagues, the man received treatment and I hope he goes on to make a full recovery.”

The driver was given medical aid by a paramedic before being taken to hospital and is currently receiving treatment for hypothermia.

One of the officers suffered a cut to the head, but they were otherwise uninjured.