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Bystanders help rescue driver after car crashes into water-filled ditch

One man is recovering in hospital after his car veered into a cold, watery ditch in Pitt Meadows on Saturday night — and RCMP say a group of strangers helped with the rescue.

The driver crashed at the corner of Baynes Road and Ford Road just after 2 a.m.

Tire tracks could be seen heading away from the intersection, cutting onto a dirt road and then into the ditch about 30 metres back from the pavement.

Mike Larsson, assistant fire chief, said strangers leapt to help.

"There was about a half dozen bystanders helping the driver out of the vehicle, throwing ropes down to him in the water," said Larsson.

Fire crews arrived and got a ladder down to the driver. He was pulled to safety and taken to hospital, cold and shaken, but otherwise OK.

Larsson applauded the strangers for their quick work.

"They did an excellent job keeping him afloat on the water and keeping him calm until we could get here," he said.

Ridge Meadows RCMP are investigating the crash.

With files from Cory Correia