CAR LOST AT SEA AFTER FERRY SLIP

A car ran off the ferry slipway at Sandbanks and is lost at sea

An absent minded driver was left red-faced when his car rolled off a ferry slipway and into the sea in Dorset.

Emergency services were alerted when passers-by saw a partially submerged car at Sandbanks, Poole, at 0812 BST.

When a lifeboat crew arrived they were met by the driver of the Smart car coupe who had left his vehicle on the slipway before wandering off.

The man said he had used the handbrake, and confirmed to police no-one was in the car. The car has not been found.

Lifeboats could not locate the vehicle, and believe it was swept out to sea.

A lifeboat spokeswoman said the car had entered the water from the north side of the chain ferry crossing at Sandbanks which links Poole with Studland.

"A volunteer crew arrived on scene expecting the worse preparing to search for a body when the driver of the car appeared on the chain ferry slipway.

"It appears he left the car to go to the shop or loo and the car rolled into the water," she added.

Dorset Police were alerted when the partially submerged vehicle was spotted floating past the Haven Hotel in Poole.

BBC NEWS REPORT.