Harry Potter crashes car into River Blyth at Cambois

Jul 3 2009 The Journal

Steven Fitch, 28, a lifeboat volunteer and bar owner from Blyth said: “We were returning from an exercise when we were called. When we arrived the car had almost completely sunk.

“Our first concern was whether there was anyone else still trapped inside the car. I dove into the water but it was very difficult to see anything.”

By this point, Mr Potter had managed to make his way back to the shore was able to tell the lifeboat crew no one else was involved.

Mr Fitch accompanied Mr Potter to the shore to check he hadn’t suffered any injuries.

He said:“At first he seemed fine but after a few minutes he complained of dizziness and was being sick. I don’t know whether it was the shock of the event but he may have swallowed some of the diesel fuel that was in the water.”

Within five minutes the police had arrived at the scene, and were followed shortly by ambulance crews.

Police divers went to the scene the next day and assisted with the recovery of the car. The car was removed from the river at around midday on Wednesday.

Lifeboat Operations Manager, John Scott praised the quick reactions of the members of the public.

He said: “It was good that members of the public on seeing the incident responded in such an active way.”

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “At 9.04pm on Tuesday, June 30, police received a report of a Vauxhall Corsa in the river at Cambois, Blyth.

“The driver escaped from the car with the help of a passer-by before the car sank.”

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