A DRIVER had to be rescued yesterday (Tuesday) after his car was washed down the River Neb.
The elderly male driver was attempting to cross the water splash in his Citroen Picasso from the Brack a Broom Road near Tynwald Mills just before 2pm.
According to the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service the river was in spate and carried the car around ¾ of a mile downstream to the Ballaleece Bridge.
The driver alerted the emergency services to the incident using his mobile phone and the police, ambulance and a fire crew from Peel and a specialist swift water rescue team from Douglas were dispatched.
The vehicle, which was still upright, was located by the Peel crew and firefighters threw lines across the river to prevent the car from moving any further.
A spokesperson for Isle of Man Fire and Rescue said: "The swift water team, on arrival, utilised their specialist training and equipment to effect a rescue which was not as easy as it appeared."
Once the vehicle was secured the driver was assisted to the river bank. He was described as being "wet and cold" but after being checked over by paramedics it was decided he did not require hospital treatment.
