The driver of a car that smashed through a wall and plunged into the River Thames is still behind sought by police.

The force said today that it is trying to trace the man behind the wheel of the silver Mercedes, which went into the river in Abbey Road, West Oxford, shortly before 6pm on Friday.

Thames Valley Police spokesman Jack Abell said the driver, who it is believed was uninjured in the incident, got out of the car and left the scene before police arrived.

People living nearby reported seeing the man throw bags into the river after he got out of the car.

Officers confirmed they recovered one bag from the scene, which had items inside associated with being equipped for burglary or theft.

No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.

Residents in the road, near Oxford Station, said car sounded like it was travelling at 80mph before it crashed through the brick wall at the end of their street.

People rushed out of their homes to find out what had happened, only to watch the driver, described as an Asian man in his 20s or 30s, calmly walk away.

Oxford Mail:

Norwegian student Eline is staying at a house on the street before starting at Oxford Brookes University this term, and was sitting at home with her brother Sebastian when they heard the car come roaring down the street.

Eline, 24, said: "He was driving at like 80mph.

Oxford Mail:

"We were just sitting in the living room and we heard him speeding to an amazing degree - he sounded like a race car driver, it was insane."

Seconds later an almighty crash shook the street as the car went through the wall.

Eline and Sebastian, who asked for their surname not to be used, rushed outside.

Sebastian said: "The guy just walked out of his car, took his things and walked off.

Oxford Mail:

"There were two ladies there asking him 'why didn't you stop?' but he just walked straight past them, completely nonchalant.

"It was just insane."

He said the man walked out of Abbey Road and across a footbridge over the Thames heading north.

Sebastian added that the man, who was slightly over 6ft, was wearing a vest and had a pair of headphones.

Oxford Mail:

The siblings said police, ambulance and the fire service arrived about 15 minutes later, then cordoned off the road.

Another resident of the street who asked not to be named said: "I was just at home cleaning and I heard a car going very fast down the road.

"As soon as I heard that there was a huge bang.

"I rushed out and there was a man emerging: he had jeans on and a black jacket, dark hair and about 6ft tall. I think he was Asian or of Middle-Eastern origin.

Oxford Mail:

"I asked him where he was from and he said 'around here', then walked off."

Oxford Mail:

The car was removed from the river and driven away on the back of a truck shortly after 8pm on Friday.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101.

Oxford Mail: