A WOMAN died after her car plunged into the River Clyde, prompting a major emergency operation yesterday. 

Police confirmed the woman, who has not been identified, was the only person in the car.

A coastguard team from Helensburgh was dispatched to the scene, near Braehead, at around lunchtime.

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said: “Just before 1.30pm on July 21, UK Coastguard were called to reports of a vehicle entering the River Clyde, near Whinbrel Wynd in Renfew.

“The Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Prestwick and Coastguard Rescue Teams from Helensburgh and Greenock were at the scene along with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland.”

The car, thought to be a blue Peugeot with a disabled sticker on the back window, was recovered from the water by emergency services at around 7pm.

Witnessed said the car has been driving “at speed”, clipping two cars, before breaking though the metal fence barrier and entering the water.

A police statement said: “A search-and-rescue operation was immediately launched involving officers from Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and HM Coastguard.

“She was the only person in the car.

"A post-mortem examination will take place in due course to establish the exact cause of death."

Enquiries to establish the cause of how the vehicle came to enter the River Clyde are ongoing.