A ducking embarrassment: SUV ends up in Hitchin's River Hiz after taking wrong turn

By Layth Yousif

24th Feb 2024 | Local News

Hitchin's picturesque riverside in the heart of our town has seen many things since it was first mentioned in the Doomsday Book - but the evocative waterway can't have experienced many days such as today, Saturday (February 24)

The phrase 'Rex Tenet Hiz' referenced the river in the historic book written a millennia ago: But there surely wouldn't ever have been a Latin sentence constructed to explain how a car drove into the River Hiz - which is exactly what happened today.

Firstly, and most importantly, thankfully, Hitchin Nub News understands that the driver of the errant car is safe, if a tad embarrassed at the incident that saw a black SUV submerged in the river this afternoon.

According to eyewitnesses Nub News spoke with following the incident which occurred at the riverside around 5pm, near to Churchyard in Hitchin town centre, the SUV took a wrong turn in the nearby Portmill Car Park to end up making a splash into the river.

A source told Nub News: "Apparently the driver thought they were in reverse [and we] heard a bit of a bang before the driver got out immediately and safely."

Another eyewitness said: "They smashed through the railings," while another source added: "Clearly they got the wrong gear when leaving their parking space."

Herts police and Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene, with the vehicle being lifted from Hiz and put on a recovery truck around 7pm.

Officers at the scene refused to comment, with Nub News understanding they ducked all questions.

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