A DRIVER had to be rescued by firefighters after their car was washed down a river.

The motorist, who emergency services found holding onto a tree, had attempted to drive through a “very deep” ford in rural Dorset.

The vehicle was washed 400 metres downstream from the ford in Deep Ford Lane, Chetnole, near Sherborne, on Tuesday morning.

Following the incident, the fire service warned motorists that the ford was unsafe to cross.

A spokesperson for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called just before 6am today with reports of a vehicle and the driver in a river at Deep Ford Lane, Chetnole.

“Crews from Weymouth and Yeovil were mobilised to the area and on arrival found the vehicle had been washed 400 metres downstream from the ford.

“The driver of the vehicle had managed to climb out of the vehicle and was found holding on to a tree before being rescued by firefighters.

“Once rescued, the driver was left in the care of the ambulance crew. The stop message came through at 7.04am.”

In a post on social media, the fire service said: “The water level has become very deep and is now unsafe to cross. Please do not try and drive through this water.”

As reported, flood alerts have been issued across the Dorset coast in relation to Christchurch and Poole harbours at high tides, which are due to take place either side of 9am on November 8.

Areas most at risk are at Wareham and tidal stretches of the Lower Frome, River Piddle, River Avon and River Stour as well as Christchurch Harbour itself.