Police car plunges from bridge into river as passing runner helps officers escape
A police car plunged from Prague’s Hlávka Bridge into the Vltava River this morning. CCTV footage shows the car going out of control on the wet road, sliding across several lanes, breaking through the bridge barrier and plunging into the water. The two police officers in the car survived.
Car skidded sideways
The accident happened at around 7.44am.
The video shows the police car skidding sideways near the tram tracks and moving uncontrollably across the road. The car narrowly misses other vehicles before hitting the bridge barrier and falling into the Vltava.
According to preliminary information, the police car did not collide with any other vehicle before falling into the river.
The exact cause of the accident is under investigation. The wet road surface and tram tracks may have contributed to the loss of control, but police have not yet officially confirmed the cause.
Runner jumped into river to help
Two police officers, a man and a woman, were in the car. Both escaped the vehicle without serious injuries. A runner passing the scene came to their aid, jumping into the river and helping the officers move away from the car.
All three suffered hypothermia because of the cold water, and the officers were taken to hospital for checks. The runner left the scene without leaving his contact details, and Prague police are now looking for him to thank him for his help.
Car lifted out of river
Rescue crews later lifted the police car out of the Vltava using a crane. Prague police are now investigating the car’s speed, the road conditions and the vehicle’s movements before it went out of control.
