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Dramatic pictures show crash that four people walked away from after River Derwent bridge plunge

The Vauxhall Insignia landed on its roof after falling around 30ft into the River Derwent - Derby Telegraph/BPM MEDIA
The Vauxhall Insignia landed on its roof after falling around 30ft into the River Derwent - Derby Telegraph/BPM MEDIA

Four people had a miraculous escape when a car plunged into a river after crashing through a bridge.

The Vauxhall Insignia fell around 30ft (nine metres) into the River Derwent, in Duffield, Derbyshire, in the early hours.

It left a 15ft-long hole in the bridge, with the vehicle landing on its roof below in near-freezing temperatures.

Police said the driver and three passengers avoided serious injury.

The landlady of a nearby pub said she heard screaming at around 2.45am.

The Vauxhall Insignia landed on its roof after falling around 30ft into the River Derwent - Credit: Derby Telegraph/BPM MEDIA
The crash left a hole in the bridge Credit: Derby Telegraph/BPM MEDIA

"One was really shouting quite loudly but I couldn't understand what they were saying," Mandy Gager, landlady of the Bridge Inn, told the BBC.

"Obviously, I wish I had known what was going on as we could probably have helped them.

"They were lucky to get out, with how they've wiped the bridge out, they were lucky to get out of it."

The Vauxhall Insignia landed on its roof after falling around 30ft into the River Derwent - Credit: Derby Telegraph/BPM MEDIA
Derbyshire Police said the driver and three passengers avoided serious injury Credit: Derby Telegraph/BPM MEDIA

ADerbyshire Police spokesman said: "A Vauxhall Insignia collided with the bridge at the turning between Makeney Road and Duffield Road before finishing up in the river.

"The driver received hospital treatment for minor injuries. The roads at the scene were closed in both directions."