Driver escapes injury after car plunges into canal

Traffic along Walnut Avenue had to be diverted for about an hour Thursday afternoon while Demopolis Police pulled a vehicle from the Whitfield Canal.

Police Chief Rex Flowers said an unidentified woman driver lost control of her vehicle when she tried to pick up something from the floorboard, and her knee hit the steering wheel.

The vehicle, which was traveling north, crossed Walnut Street, crashed through the guard rail and fell into the canal. Remarkably the driver walked away from the accident with no injuries, said Flowers.

Responding to the accident were Sgt. Walter Wilson, Sgt. Allen Bailey and Ofc. Serena Green along with EMTs and tow trucks.

Temporary barricades have been placed along the canal until the guard rail can be replaced.