Lucky escape for four people after rental car crashes into West Coast river

Photo / File

Four people have had a lucky escape after their rental car crashed 20m down a bank and ended up submerged in a West Coast river.

Police said the 4WD Honda rental car went off a gravel road and crashed down a bank into the Whataroa River just before midday today.

A police spokeswoman was unable to confirm whether or not the four people inside the car were tourists.

All the occupants managed to escape before the car became fully submerged.

None were seriously injured.

Emergency services were now working to retrieve the car from the river, police said.

No other vehicles were involved and police were yet to interview the driver.