Rye News has received reports that a Ford Ka driven by a local woman crashed through the Military Canal roadway fence and into the river upstream from Scots Float (Star Lock). The incident took place on Saturday morning February 2. Fortunately the driver was able to escape through the car door window with the help of passers-by, before the vehicle sank below the surface. Her identity and condition are not known.
Harbour Master, James Bateman, told Rye News that the precise location of the vehicle, is still unknown. Because of heavy floodwater coming down river this last week, the vehicle has remained submerged despite the lock gates having been held open.
The flood water is expected to subside sufficiently by Friday February 15, to allow the recovery of the wrecked vehicle, once its position is known.
Following the incident, The Environment Agency Harbour of Rye promptly issued the following Notice to Mariners:
“At 1045 on Saturday February 2 2019 a car went into the River Rother upstream of Scots Float Sluice. The Harbour Master has been advised by the Duty Lock keeper that the car has sunk and is believed to be traveling underwater out of sight assisted by a strong ebb tide.
The location of the vehicle is unknown. It could travel downstream and through the sluice entering the tidal area of Rye Harbour and then seaward.
Mariners are advised to navigate with extreme caution until the location of the vehicle is known and further updates are issued.”
Image Credits: Kenneth Bird .