A DRIVER had an astonishing escape when his minibus crashed through a fence and plunged 40 feet down a sheer drop into a fast flowing river.

The drama happened in Radcliffe town centre yesterday afternoon.

Crowds watched near the Asda store as rescuers reached the man and carried him to safety.

The vehicle landed on its wheels in the River Irwell off Lomax Street, Radcliffe.

Driver, Alan Dickson, aged 30, from Radcliffe, was rescued by teams of fire crews who waded through the water to reach him.

Onlookers told police the minibus accelerated and crashed at high speed through a steel barrier.

Mr Dickson was carried to an ambulance on a spinal board and was taken to Bury General Hospital. But amazingly, he escaped serious injury.

Paramedics gave first aid in the river before Mr Dickson was pulled free.

Firefighters used an inflatable rescue walkway to span the gap between the river bank and the minibus.

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