Speeding vehicle lands in river

Police are looking for the driver who fled the scene. File photo / Martin Sykes

A car thief was lucky to survive a crash after speeding through an intersection, plunging down a large bank and ending with the car upside down in the Whanganui River, police say.

Police are now looking for the driver who fled the scene.

The incident happened about 11.40pm yesterday at the intersection of Roberts Avenue and Somme Parade in the city, Constable Milton Ushaw, of Whanganui police, said.

"The vehicle was stolen from a house a short distance from the crash site, driven at speed through the intersection and landed in the Whanganui River almost totally submerged and on its roof."

The car, which had plummeted down a 10m to 15m bank, was found by emergency services almost totally submerged and on its roof.

"The driver of the vehicle was incredibly lucky as they missed two powerpoles by a matter of centimetres as well as crashing into a river that filled the interior with water," Mr Ushaw said.

Witnesses told police a person who was soaking wet was seen fleeing the scene.

Inquiries were continuing.

- NZPA