Rescue services spent the better part of last night trying to recover a vehicle that had been driven into the waves at about 11.30pm between Salt Rock and Chakas Rock beach.

Specialised Rescue Unit’s Quentin Power said they received a call from a woman who had spotted the vehicle from her home overlooking the beach.

“As we arrived we discovered the driver still in the Suzuki Jimny, with the waves crashing over it. He appeared intoxicated and did not want to get out of the vehicle,” said Power.

The team managed to rescue the man and attach a rope to the vehicle. They were later joined by IPSS Medical Rescue and KwaDukuza lifeguards; together they attempted to pull the vehicle up the beach.

“Due to the fast incoming tide and large surf it was not safe to bring a vehicle onto the beach to winch the Jimny out with.”

The last line snapped at around 2.30 am  and the vehicle was washed further south. It is now wedged between the rocks and pounding surf at Chakas Rock.

Power said they hoped the vehicle could be recovered this morning.