Woman critical after car plunges into ship canal

A woman is fighting for her life after her car plunged into the Manchester Ship Canal in Stockton Heath.
The woman was seen driving along Egerton Street at a normal speed before appearing to accelerate. Eye witnesses said she was seen waving her arms frantically, before plunging through the barriers and straight in to the water.
One eyewitness grabbed a rope and lowered himself in to the water, assisted by local workmen, and said he could see the woman banging on the car window trying to get out, before the car disappeared below the water level.
Police divers arrived on the scene, assisted by other emergency crews.
The incident happened at around 4pm and emergency crews recovered the woman’s body at around 5.50pm.
She was taken to Warrington hospital and is said to be in a critical condition.

Police closed off Egerton Street

Bypassers watch the rescue operation from the Stockton Heath swing bridge

Scene of the accident