A 24-year-old man who was arrested after a car entered the River Weaver has been bailed pending further enquiries.


Firefighters and police officers were called to Winnington Lane at 1.39am on Saturday, November 16, after reports that a silver Vauxhall Astra had entered the river approximately 80 metres from Barnton Bridge.

Two fire engines from Northwich, two from Warrington and one from Knutsford attended the scene, along with the Water Incident Unit and Rope Rescue unit, after reports that someone was trapped inside the submerged vehicle.

Firefighters searched the area and the river banks on foot, while two water technicians inspected the vehicle to find that nobody was inside.

A police helicopter was used to search the area after a man, found at the scene by police, said he had seen others fleeing from the car.

A 24-year-old man was subsequently arrested by police on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle which had been taken without the owner’s consent.

He has since been bailed pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information should contact Northwich NPU on 101 quoting incident number 107 of November 16.