Woman in her 70s miraculously escapes after car ends up in canal in Stockport

An elderly woman was rescued by firefighters after her car plunged into the canal in Stockport. The drama unfolded in Marple shortly before 1:30pm this afternoon (Monday).

The woman's car entered the stretch of the Macclesfield Canal that runs along the side of Goyt Mill on Upper Hibbert Lane. Police, paramedics and fire crews all attended.

The Manchester Evening News understands the woman managed to free herself from the vehicle. Firefighters then used a long-reach pole to help get her out of the water.

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She was taken to hospital Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said she was 'checked over as a precaution' but escaped any serious injury.

Pictures from the scene showed the car completely submerged in the water.

A GMP spokesperson said: "We were called at 1:25pm to reports that a car had gone into the canal. The female driver was checked over as a precaution."

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Shortly after 1.25pm this afternoon (Monday, 8 July), two fire engines from Marple and Offerton fire stations, the Technical Response Unit from Ashton-under-Lyne Community Fire Station and the Water Incident Unit from Eccles Community Fire Station were called to reports of a person in water near Upper Hibbert Lane, Stockport.

“Crews arrived quickly and used a long reach pole to rescue one casualty who was later conveyed to hospital by North West Ambulance Service. Firefighters were in attendance for approximately one hour and 10 minutes.”

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