THE driver of a silver Subaru crashed his car into trees on the banks of the River Medway at Maidstone today - and was then picked up by firefighters after having apparently swum across the river.

Emergency services were alerted to the erratic behaviour of the vehicle at Whatman’s Wharf by Maidstone’s CCTV controllers after the car was seen crashing through barriers at the Fremlins development site in Earl Street, before heading for the White Rabbit roundabout on The Royal Engineers Road.

It then turned left towards the river near the Maidstone Rowing Club and crashed into trees inches from the water’s edge.

Fire brigade spokesman Alan Stark said he had initially summoned the brigade’s rescue boat because it was not clear how many people may have been in the river, but in the end it was not necessary to launch the vessel.

The man was taken to Maidstone Hospital suffering from minor injuries and the effects of the cold. Police were waiting to interview him.