Dramatic photo shows crashed rally car in water-filled ditch near Braunton

THIS bizarre picture shows an unusual discovery at Velator in Braunton.

This white Rover 25 car was found by professional photographer Grant Stringer from Ilfracombe on Sunday morning.

The car was part of the 2012 Ilfracombe Rally which took place on Saturday, November 10.

It was being driven by Kim Rumsam, of South Molton, and navigated by Nigel Angrave, from Barnstaple, when it left the road and ended up in a drainage ditch near Braunton's great field.

Derek Drayton of the North Devon Motor Club which organises the rally, said: "Initially the car was probably only knee deep in water but after they got out it gradually sunk down deeper.

"Neither of the passengers sustained any injuries and the car posed no environmental hazard.

"The car was recovered from the ditch on Sunday."

Mr Drayton stressed that the 130-mile rally, which has been running since the 1950s, is not a race and is a fully marshalled and sanctioned navigational event.

He said: "We're not boy racers. We promote responsible use of highways and are mindful of other road users, residents and farmers.

"There was a lot of hail and rain on Saturday so I expect these conditions contributed to the accident."

The Journal was unable to contact Mr Rumsam before going to press.