A MOTORIST had a lucky escape this morning (Thursday February 8) after his car entered the River Shannon in County Tipperary, close to the Limerick border.
The driver, who it is understood was not familiar with the area, took a wrong turn and accidentally entered the water.
The incident occurred at the slipway in Ballina, County Tipperary, at around 7.30am this morning.
The driver was unable to bring his car to a stop in time when approaching the slipway and his vehicle entered the river. Luckily, he was able to escape from the car and make it ashore before raising the alarm.
Gardaí were alerted initially and, soon afterwards, the Killaloe unit of the Irish Coast Guard was also tasked by watch officers at the Valentia Marine Rescue Coordination Centre.
On arrival at the scene, emergency services found that the male driver and sole occupant of the car had made it ashore to safety and was unharmed.
It is understood the driver did not require medical assistance and, once this was confirmed, there was no need for the National Ambulance Service to attend.
The man’s car was completed submerged at the end of the slipway and at risk of being carried down river.
A crane had to be sourced to remove the vehicle from the water, as Coast Guard crew members secured straps to the car and assisted a crane company with recovering the vehicle from the water.
Emergency services were stood down at around 9.40am this morning.
