Framlingham Castle pond crash driver thanks rescuers

Driver Keith Wilson was pulled from his car by members of the public

The driver of a car which crashed into a pond near a Suffolk castle says people who helped pull him from the vehicle "couldn't have been kinder".

Keith Wilson, 79, from Worlingworth, was rescued after his car rolled into Castle Pond, near the entrance to Framlingham Castle, on Good Friday.

Mr Wilson said he must have hit the accelerator instead of the brake while trying to avoid a reversing car.

He said he was "most grateful" to members of the public who helped him.

'Filthy, smelly mud'

"The people who helped me were extremely attentive and extremely kind," he said.

"One young lady comforted me and took my pulse once they'd got me out on the grass.

"People couldn't have been kinder."

The car crossed a small grassy area before rolling into the pond

Mr Wilson said he was pulled out by "about four people" through his car's sunroof, which he had open because of the nice weather.

He was on his way to a hospital appointment when the crash happened at about 12:15, and was not injured.

"The water was only about 10in (25cm) deep. But perhaps the worst part was the filthy, smelly mud," he added.