THE driver of a sports car had a lucky escape after plunging almost 20 feet (6.1 meters) into the sea.

    The BMW Z3 convertible overturned as it crashed into the water near Teignmouth in Devon at around 8 a.m., Sunday.

    The driver — reported to be 37-year-old man — was trying to negotiate a narrow pedestrian only coastal path when he lost control and careered over the edge.

    The motorist managed to get out of the car and reach the water’s edge, a spokesman for RNLI Teignmouth said.

    At the time conditions were said to be “bad,” with “breaking water” surrounding the car.

    The vehicle was then left upside on the beach after the tide went out.

    Police, paramedics and the coastguards were scrambled to the scene after a 999 call was made shortly after 8:15 a.m.

    Initially it was feared that another person may have been in the car and police divers were drafted into search the surf.

    It was later confirmed the driver was alone at the time of the crash.

    Tony Watson, spokesman for RNLI Teignmouth, said, “We were called at about 8:15 a.m. to help with a car that was upside down in the water.

    “The driver had got out of the car and walked back to Teignmouth which is about half a mile (0.81 km).”

    The car was traveling down a narrow coastal path between the mainline railway and the sea at Sprey Point when it crashed.

    A coastguard spokeswoman said, “When we arrived the man had already been recovered from the vehicle. The ambulance service treated him at the scene.”

    He was taken to hospital, but was not thought to be seriously injured.

    The coastal path was closed as emergency service crews made plans to retrieve the BMW.

    An eyewitness, who declined to be named, said, “The car has driven quite a long way along the footpath beside the railway line and it’s ended up upside down half buried in the sand.

    “I don’t know how they’re going to get it out. It’s a nice series three BMW.”(SD-Agencies)