A CAR became submerged in the River Thame(corr) after it ploughed through a bridge in London Road, Wheatley.

The blue Vauxhall Vectra was stuck in the river near The Bridge Harvester restaurant and Travelodge Hotel.

Thames Valley Police spokeswoman Lucy Billen said officers were called at 2.37am on Saturday to reports that a car had been driven through the bridge and into the river.

She added: “Police officers arrived at the scene in London Road and found a vehicle submerged in the river. There was no sign of anyone at the scene, but the rear window of the vehicle had been smashed through.

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“Officers at the scene then received a call at about 2.50am saying a male had presented himself at accident and emergency at the John Radcliffe in Headington. He was treated for minor injuries and told police there was no-one else involved.”

A 20-year-old man from Wheatley was returning home at about 2.30am when he and a friend spotted debris on the road.

He said: “We looked around and saw the car in the river. We phoned the emergency services – there was no way down to the car and we waited until we were told there was no one in there.”

Police don’t yet know how the man got from the scene to the Headingtonhospital and the cause of the incident has not yet been established.

It is understood the Environment Agency decided it was unsafe to remove the car.