by Paul Behan

TWO police officers desperately tried to save the life of a woman who crashed her car into the River Clyde.

The brave duo leapt into action following the horrific crash on Thursday afternoon after they were first on the scene, minutes after the incident, shortly after 1.20pm.

It's understood they entered the water in a frantic attempt to find an air pocket and retrieve the crash victim.

However, their efforts were in vain as the high tide meant that the vehicle quickly submerged and the woman's body was later recovered.

Onlookers from Yoker and Renfrew looked on as emergency crews from police, ambulance, fire and Coast Guard all did their best on the Clyde.

Inspector Cassie Glass, of Johnstone Police, hailed the efforts of her two officers.

She said: "They were first on the scene and they could see that the vehicle was starting to submerge.

"It was their instinct to get into the water- at their own risk- and try to help but unfortunately the tide was at its highest and the car quickly went under.

"But they did everything they could in the circumstances."

She added: "It's absolutely tragic circumstances and my heart goes out to the victim's family."

Meanwhile, a nearby resident spoke of his horror after witnessing the female motorist, who has not yet been named, plunge her car into the River Clyde.

The incident took place in a quiet Cul-de-Sac in Renfrew's Whimbrel Wynd, just off Kings Inch Road.

It's understood that the car with the motorist collided with a parked blue coloured Skoda estate car before careering over the embankment and into the river below.

The car being driven by the motorist is understood to be a Jeep.

Emergency services were quickly on the scene as they attempted to retrieve the motorist from the river.

The police were in attendance, as were the Coast Guard, Scottish Fire and Rescue and the Scottish Ambulance Service in what proved to be a major incident for the emergency services.

A helicopter was also put on standby very near to the crash site.

One man who witnessed the horror unfold, said: "I was just taking my dog out for a walk and I saw the car come down the street.

"There was another guy standing in the street and his mouth was wide open when the car hit the Skoda.

"After that the Jeep careered off and went over the embankment, it was shocking."

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Enquiries are continuing to establish the exact circumstances of how the vehicle came to enter the River Clyde, with crash scene examiners conducting an investigation at the location.

"Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact officers at Greenock Police Office through 101."