A man arrested after a car drove off a pier has been bailed pending further inquiries.

The white Ford Fiesta was said to have smashed through two sets of railings before careering off Gillingham Pier yesterday afternoon.

Police, ambulance crews and the coastguard were called to the River Medway at around 2.30pm.

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The man managed to get out of the car before it sank, and swam to the shore.

Officers then arrested a man on suspicion of drink-driving, and taken to hospital.

VIDEO: The aftermath of the crash

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at 2.29pm to a report that a car had fallen into the water after colliding with railings on Gillingham Pier.

"The driver – a 31-year-old man – swam to safety and was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving. He has since been taken to hospital.

"There were no passengers in the vehicle.

This morning a spokesman for police said the man, who is from Gillingham, has been bailed pending further inquiries until October 24.

The car will be recovered at low tide this morning.