A YOUNG driver was rescued by a former Royal Marine after their car flipped upside down into a river in one of the Cotswolds most picturesque villages. 

CCTV camera footage captured the motorist driving rapidly through the High Street in Bibury - about seven miles outside of Cirencester - before crashing through a wall and into the River Coln just before midnight on Monday (May 8).

Luckily, a security system that had been put in place by multi-millionaire Sir Chris Evans OBE alerted a nearby guard who bolted into action.

The former marine, who does not want to be identified, rushed to the scene, dived into the river and unhooked the driver's seat belt before dragging the unconscious body onto the bankside.

Swindon Advertiser: Police tape at the scene of the incident

Workers from a Thames Water van nearby lit up the area with headlights while the guard undertook various health and safety checks.

Rugs and blankets were quickly wrapped around the traumatized driver who drifted in and out of consciousness.

Two fire engines and police officers shortly arrived at the scene as well as an ambulance which took the injured driver to Gloucester Royal Hospital.

A spokesperson for the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called at 12.10am and sent two fire engines to the scene, one from Northleach and another from Fairford.

"The driver had got out before we arrived, and we gave him oxygen until he was handed over to the ambulance service.

"The police and ambulance service then dealt with the incident."

Swindon Advertiser: The scene of incident in BiburyThe scene of incident in Bibury (Image: Camilla Foster, Newsquest)

Sir Chris Evans OBE resides in an 1840s Gothic house in Bibury and owns many of the cottages next to the River Coln.

Since the Welsh entrepreneur’s 30-room mansion was burgled in July 2018, he has put in several security measures to protect his home which ultimately saved this young driver's life.

A team of seven to eight guards patrol his residence 24/7 and 104 cameras with infra-red beams placed around the residence detect any rapid large movements. 

These guards include ex marines and paratroopers and often help with any disorderly behaviour in the village such as drunk individuals who fall into the river.

Sir Chris Evans OBE said: "Everything happened in about 60 seconds. 

"The CCTV caught the car breaking too late and crashing into the wall before turning upside down.

"The security guards were instantly alerted, and a former Royal Marine zipped straight over and did a spectacular dive into the river.

"These guys are the best of the best, it's what they have been trained to do.

"The river isn't that deep, but it is fast flowing and was freezing cold.

"The young driver was stuck in his seat and nearly drowned.

"After the diver was onto dragged the bankside, he was in total shock and was experiencing symptoms of hyperthermia.

"He was drifting in and out of consciousness and was mumbling about children, so the guard dived back in to see if there was anyone else in the car.

"There was children stuff in the back of the car but after thoroughly searching the car and the area the guard was confident no child had been in the vehicle at the time of the incident.

"I am very proud of him and there's no question that he saved the driver's life.

"The police have said that he turned what could have easily been a death into a salvageable incident."

Sir Chris Evans OBE said he will be rewarding the guard for his bravery and swift action.

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Police said: "We were called to High Street in Bibury shortly after midnight today (Tuesday) with a report that a car had gone into the River Coln.

"The driver of the car was taken to Gloucester Royal Hospital for treatment to his injuries where he remains at this time."

Cones and police tape have cornered off the area next to the river where the incident occurred.

Police are currently looking into the incident further.