Merseyside Police has rescued and arrested a 41-year-old Formby man

Merseyside Police has rescued and arrested a 41-year-old Formby man after a suspected stolen car was driven into Carr Mill Dam last night, Monday 21 November. At around 8.20pm, officers located a suspected stolen Audi TT car being driven in the Liverpool area. Roads Policing officers attended close to Bowring Park Golf Course in Huyton, where the car was found stationary in a car park. Upon attempting to stop the car, the driver of the Audi sped off, leading to a police pursuit up the M62 through Winwick and Newton-le-Willows into St Helens. Officers deployed a stop stick before the Audi continued to drive onto the East Lancashire Road towards the Waterside pub in St Helens where the driver drove at speed into the Carr Mill Reservoir. As the car began to sink, five officers entered the water and rescued the driver from the back of the car. The man was taken to hospital as a precaution where he was found to be uninjured. The man has now been arrested on suspicion of unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle, burglary dwelling, dangerous driving, and failing to stop. He has been taken to a police station where he will be questioned by detectives. The officers involved were checked over as a precaution and have all been released. Chief Superintendent Jon Ward said: "The officers involved in this pursuit and rescue acted with exceptional bravery, tenacity and professionalism to rescue the man on a bitterly cold, wet and miserable evening. Without a second thought given to their own safety and the conditions, they entered the freezing water and dragged him through the rear of the car just before it became completely submerged. “We are extremely proud to have such outstanding officers serving for Merseyside. Police on the front line are vital in protecting our communities and the pursuit and rescue serves as a reminder of the very real dangers that officers face to keep us all safe day in, day out." Officers are appealing for anyone who was in the area and may have seen any part of the incident to contact Merseyside Police’s Roads Policing Unit on 0151 777 5747. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.