'Hero' binmen rescue woman and dog after car plunges 20ft into sea

Two binmen helped to rescue a woman and her dog after her car plunged 20ft off a harbour wall into the sea.

The vehicle fell into the sea at Burghead Harbour in Moray, Scotland.

Derek Main and Gary Roberts were just having their lunch at the harbour when they heard the almighty splash.

While Derek ran for ropes, Gary immediately jumped in and swam out to the car with an Irish cyclist, who said he was a lifeguard, reports the Northern Scot.

The men had to work quickly against the threat of the car being washed out to sea and sinking at a fast rate. Gary told the Daily Mail: "I noticed there was a woman in the front seat holding a dog.

"I'd just reached the car when this Irish guy got the woman out of the driver's seat.

"As he was pulling her to safety he shouted out that there was still a dog in the back of the car.

"At this stage the car was sinking and I didn't think I'd be able to open the door because of the water pressure, but I just about managed it."

The Evening Express reports that the woman was taken to Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin, where she was thought to be treated for shock.

Gary added: "It was a close shave, if it hadn't been for that other guy jumping in and helping, who knows what would have happened?

"The lady was very lucky."

Local resident Sarah Doonan said she believed the woman accidentally drove off the edge of the pier while taking in the view.

The collie dog is thought to be recovering well, while the Vauxhall Corsa, which had become completely submerged, was winched out of the water by the coastguard.

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