Man and woman die after car plunges into dyke near primary school

A man and a woman have died after their car plunged from a bridge into a water-filled dyke in Lincolnshire.

Emergency services were called to the scene in Chapel St Leonards, at about 3.30pm today.

A white Fiat Punto with a driver and a passenger came off Tyler's Bridge and landed into a dyke near a primary school.

Eyewitnesses called police and some bystanders jumped in to pull them from the water, it was reported.

Lincolnshire Police confirmed a 52-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene despite efforts to resuscitate him.

The female passenger, 21, was rushed to hospital with serious injures but died from her injuries.

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The vehicle is believed to have plunged from a bridge (Media Lincs/ John Aron)

Five fire engines, a fire officer car, six police cars, paramedics and the air ambulance were reportedly deal with the incident.

Lincolnshire Police has appealed for witness of the accident to come forward.

They said in a statement: "We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after two people died following a single-vehicle RTC in Chapel St Leonards, this afternoon (24 February).

"At 3.22pm a white Fiat Punto entered a waterway on Sea Lane, near the primary school.

"Despite the efforts of members of the public and emergency services, a 52-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

"The other person in the car, a 21-year-old woman, was taken to hospital but later died. There were no other people in the vehicle."

Medical crews at the scene of the accident (Media Lincs/ John Aron)

An air ambulance was called to the scene (Lincolnshire Live)

Photographer Phil Carpenter told Lincolnshire Live: “A car has gone into the drain with a man and a woman in it. According to an eyewitness, a couple of people jumped in to try to get their heads above the water.

“Two ambulances have just left the scene. Police have closed the road back to the A52.”

Lincolnshire Police earlier said on Twitter: "We can confirm one man has died following a white Punto entering the river at Chapel St Leonards today at 3.22 pm. One woman has been taken to hospital.

"There were no other people in the car. Our investigations continue and we appeal for any witnesses to contact us on 101."