DOCK RESCUE DRAMA

WITNESSES watched in shock as a ute drove straight into the waterfront at Constitution Dock on Monday afternoon.

The Graham family from Campbell Town were staying at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, across the road from the incident, when they heard the crash.

“We heard the screech of brakes, we heard the crunch of cars hitting,” Gary Graham said.

“By the time we looked out the window and realised what was going on, we saw the four-wheel drive come up across the footpath and go into the water.

“You could tell the driver was in real shock, he looked like he was spaced out,” Nicole Graham said.

Police are investigating exactly what happened leading up to the crash and how the vehicle came to be submerged.

Acting Sergeant David Summers, on the scene soon after the incident, said the male drive was the only occupant of the vehicle.

“He’s obviously recovering, he’s been taken to the Royal Hobart in an ambulance,” Acting Sgt Summers said. “He’s conscious and speaking so minor injuries at this stage.”

Onlooker Tom Darke was one of two men who rescued the driver after witnessing the vehicle plunge into the water off Davey St.

“The gentleman was in the fourth lane but he’s come across and hit the back of an ABC white X-Trail and gone straight into the water,” Mr Darke said.

“From that point the car was floating.”

Mr Darke then sprang into action, jumping on to the bonnet of the car.

“We could see the man in there,” Mr Darke said.

“I was on top of the bonnet and just told him to kick the window in, he kicked the window in and I held on to him by his hood. The other gentleman lifted him into the life ring, it was very quick.”

Mr Darke jumped back on to the jetty and pulled the man, whom he described as “big”, to safety.

“My heart was beating very fast. It’s something you don’t see every day,” he said.

Acting Sgt Summers said the man was very lucky.

“If the people nearby hadn’t had assisted, who knows what might have happened,” he said.

At 3.30pm a crane arrived and pulled the vehicle out of the water.

“It’s an environmental hazard, there is oil and fuel inside the vehicle,” Acting Sgt Summer said.