The Vauxhall Astra landed upside down and the 24-year-old woman was trapped in the water for more than half an hour before being dragged to safety.

Emergency crews and a passer-by managed to keep the woman's head above water before paramedic Stuart Ryland bravely leapt into the river to save her, injuring himself in the process.

Stuart has been hailed a hero, with the North West Ambulance Service saying he played a "vital role" in saving the woman's life.

The drama unfolded at about 7.30am on Friday in Church Lane, off Chester Road, Aldford, near Chester.

An ambulance service spokesman said: "A call was received to a road-traffic accident where the car had driven through a wall and crashed into the River Dee, and landed upside down.

"The female, thought to be in her 20s and travelling alone, was trapped for approximately 30-40 minutes before being rescued by one of our paramedics with assistance from a member of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.

"A decision was taken to enter the water to rescue the lady, given that the fire service were not yet on scene, and that the length of time it would have taken for them to deploy the necessary equipment would have been detrimental to the safety of the patient."

The woman suffered leg injuries in the accident, and was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital where she is in a "serious but stable condition."

A Cheshire Police spokesman said: "The woman was helped by a passing driver, and he in turn was assisted by police patrol.

"Together they managed to keep the driver's head above water in difficult conditions, until the arrival of other emergency services."

Anybody who saw the crash is asked to call Cheshire Police on 0845 458 0000.