Horror moment 'drunk' pensioner drives into sea after swerving off busy pier

Horrifying new footage has captured the moment a pensioner crashedoff the road and plummeted into the sea - where she was seen frozen behind the wheel as her car sank into the water.

The SUV crashed through a glass bike shelterbefore plummeting into the ocean at the passenger ferry terminal on Waiheke Island, New Zealand. Terrifying footage shows the enormous silver vehicle pulling up to the pavement and then careering through the glass structure and a fence.

Glass and shard of fence can be seen flying into the air as the SUV ploughs on. Then the car lands bonnet first into the ocean as waves lap over the nose of the car before it can be seen being flooded with water.

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A time-lapse clip shows the car rolling forwards before disappearing into the shadowy depths of the sea. Shocked onlookers rushed to the edge and throw the pensioner a life ring.

In a stroke of luck, the driver was able to pull herself out of the car and heave herself up an emergency ladder. Photos show bikes and railings obliterated by the vehicle.

Local medics said one person was treated at the scene, but the woman's condition is as yet unknown. Police Sergeant Ray Matthews said: “The vehicle entered the water and became submerged."

"Fortunately, the sole occupant of the vehicle was able to climb out and was helped by the public to safety. Police have issued the 73-year-old woman an infringement notice for excess breath alcohol, allegedly returning a result of 290mcg/L [micrograms per litre of breath].” He added that further charges are also being considered.

A boat with a crane was then called in to drag car crash wreck from the seabed. A spokesperson for Auckland Transport said the car was returned to the owner after being hauled back up.

They added that the damage to the bike shelter was being assessed and repairs planned. The spokesperson said: “A portion of the shelter has been damaged – glass and structural."

"If we want to replace like for like we need a full shelter replacement, so we are going to work through with the relevant stakeholders what the replacement or retrofit options may be.

"The replacement of shelter and railings will be done at a later stage following the area being made safe. Our maintenance teams are on standby for AT to decide the replacement option before either removing the shelter or replacing damaged parts.”