A CAR that narrowly missed school pupils as it dramatically rolled into the River Severn in Worcester will be hoisted out by crane.

The Canal and River Trust has accepted responsibility for the rescue operation, which will take place on Monday (October 12), because the submerged vehicle poses a hazard to boats.

Dive teams will first secure the car to the crane before it is lifted out of the water.

The blue car became completely submerged at about 2pm on Thursday (October 8), after it rolled into the river from a parking space between the two boathouses off Grandstand Road.

Eyewitnesses spoke of their "shock" at the incident and surmised that the handbrake had been left off.

No-one was in the car at the time.

A spokesman for the Canal and River Trust said: "The car is obstructing navigation on the river and thus it became our responsibility to deal with and we are taking quick action.

"We will be seeking to reclaim the costs of the operation from the owner's insurance company.

"On Friday morning (October 9) we will be attaching a buoy to the submerged car so boats and river users are aware of its location and can avoid any problems.

"A crane will be moved into place over the weekend and then the car will be removed on Monday morning at about 10am, once dive teams have attached the car to the crane."