Man rescued from sinking car on Southend seafront

Heroic people jumped into the sea on Southend seafront to save a man from a sinking car.

The incident happened next to the Olivers cafe, near to the Genting casino.

The car had gone over the cycle path and pavement, then down the rocky embankment into the water.

One person in the car was rescued by two men who leapt into action and ran into the water.

The man was pulled from the car and was brought to shore where the Coastguard and other emergency services attended.

Our thoughts are with the man and wish him a speedy recovery.

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “We were alerted to an incident which began on Western Esplanade in Southend. It was reported to emergency services shortly after 1.30pm today, Sunday 5 January.

“A car had entered the water and concerns had been raised for a man inside.

“A member of the public was quickly able to free the man and get him to safety. The man has been left in the care of medical professionals.

“Other agencies are assisting with recovery of the vehicle from the water.”

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called just before 1.40pm on Sunday 5 January with reports that a vehicle had driven into the sea on the Western Esplanade in Southend.

“An ambulance, ambulance response vehicle and a mental health response vehicle were sent to the scene. The driver of the car, an adult man, was assessed and did not require transportation to hospital.”