On the morning of Saturday, 10 October 2026, a police car broke through a railing and fell into the Vltava; a witness to the crash jumped in after the crew, and the police later announced that they knew his identity.
On 10 October 2026, shortly before 8 a.m., a police car broke through a railing and ended up in the Vltava in Prague. According to footage from social media cited by the server iDNES.cz, the car was driving on a tram lane with its emergency lights on, skidded, changed direction and lost its right front wheel when it hit the railing.[1] The cause of the crash had not been determined at the time the reports were published, and the police continued to investigate the circumstances. According to Pražský deník, the possibilities the police were examining included what preceded the crash, for example whether the car had been chasing someone.[2]
Rescue of the crew
The crash was seen by a witness who jumped into the water after the man and woman in the car. Paramedics treated all three people, who were out of danger. Police divers also worked at the scene, and a crane lifted the sunken car onto the bank.[1][2] The witness left the scene before the police could establish his identity.[2]
Tracing the witness
On Monday, 12 October 2026, police spokesman Jan Rybanský told iDNES.cz that the police knew the rescuer's identity, were in contact with him and intended to thank him in person.[1] Pražský deník, citing the server Novinky, reports that he is a Czech citizen and that the police traced him thanks to one of the officers, whose acquaintance is the rescuer's girlfriend.[2]
Identity of the witness who jumped into the river
On Monday, 12 October 2026, the police announced that they knew the identity of the witness to the crash who jumped into the Vltava after the crew of the police car. According to police spokesman Jan Rybanský, the police are in contact with him and want to thank him in person in the near future. Earlier that day, the witness's identity was not yet known.[1] The police are continuing to establish the circumstances of the crash.[1][2]
Related articles: Vltava
Chronology
- — Police in Prague announced that they know the identity of the witness who on 10 October 2026 jumped into the Vltava after the crew of a police car that broke through a railing and fell into the river; the police intend to thank him in person. iDNES.cz, Praha Pražský deník
Sources
- iDNES.cz, Praha — 12 October 2026
- Pražský deník — 12 October 2026