EMERGENCY services were called to Christchurch Quay after a van ended up in the water.

The towing van is believed to have rolled down the slipway after the handbrake gave way while a small boat was being launched.

The driver, who wished to remain anonymous, escaped without injury.

Mark Evans, owner of The Bell pub in Pokesdown, helped to retrieve the sunken vehicle, which had fallen into the water still with its trailer attached.

“You see people in distress and you have got to help them out,” he said. 

“That’s what boaties do.”

Firefighters were called to the scene at around 2.30pm.

Witness Charlie Arnold told the Daily Echo: "It looks like the owner is with the van, it looks like he's tried to launch a boat off the slipway.

"They've got a rope on it and they're trying to get it back out but it looks like a real struggle. The driver doesn't look too happy to be honest.

"When I pulled up in Wick Lane car park it was already in the water. There's definitely something floating around behind him, must be the trailer for a boat.

"I must say its proving quite an attraction for all the children though."

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service confirmed they were called to reports of a small van half submerged in the water at the Wick Lane slipway.

"No-one is in the water," said the spokesperson.