Two cops had to swim to safety after crashing their patrol car into a canal late at night.
The officers were speeding to an emergency call when the driver lost control.
The car left the road and careered across a towpath and into the canal, where it began to sink.
Stunned householders in cottages by the Forth and Clyde Canal in Kirkintilloch, near Glasgow, came out to investigate the accident.
And they described last night how the shaken and embarrassed cops had to rescue themselves as the car's lights continued to shine under the water.
One said: "We didn't know if a joyrider had somehow stolen the car and dumped it in the water for mischief.
"It soon became obvious they weren't looking for anyone in connection with an offence, so we guessed that a driver had just made a real howler of an error.
"These people are meant to be advanced drivers but this was a real Mr Magoo job."
Another source said: "There was an investigation van sent out and a lot of police officers walking around with torches.
"I asked what had happened and all they would say was that no one was hurt.
"The lights stayed on a whileafter the car sank then gradually fizzled out, which looked quite comical."
Last night, a spokesman for Strathclyde Police confirmed that no one was injured in the accident.
He said: "A call was being responded to in a hurry-up situation and it appears a driver error was made."
The police spokesman said the accident happened shortly before 11pm on Sunday as the officers were answering a "fast response call".
The force declined to make any comment on the nature of the call.
Both officers, who are male constables, were taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
One received treatment for a neck injury, while his colleague was released after a check-up.
Police forces in Scotland spent £1million on repairs to their vehicles last year. The Strathclyde force paid out £721,000 for 1216 pranged cars.
