A 23-year-old woman is in hospital after her vehicle went off Saskatoon's North Circle Drive Bridge into the South Saskatchewan River.

Police say the woman was travelling eastbound when she lost control of her vehicle and flew off the bridge just before 1 p.m. CST.

Rescue crews are currently at the North Circle Drive bridge after a vehicle went off the bridge and into the river. (Kathy Fitzpatrick/CBC)

The woman managed to climb out to the roof of the car on her own and then onto the river ice as the vehicle sunk into the water.

"Firefighters were able to help her get onto the bank and she was taken by MD Ambulance to get checked out," said Marc Degirolamo, with the Saskatoon Fire Department.

The woman is said to have suffered minor injuries. The vehicle is fully submerged in the river.

The cause of the crash is being investigated, however police say alcohol is not considered to be a factor.

Now that the scene has been cleared the attention shifts to snow clearing in the area.

"I've had that discussion a number of times in the last seven years with public works that we should be clearing the sides of those bridges," said Darren Hill, as Saskatoon city councillor.

"Those bridges are designed with barriers to prevent vehicles from going into the river, and when we get snow piled up alongside of it and it creates a ramp, that is a concern."

Hill says it should be included in the Priority One snow clearing routes.



City administration has declined to comment while police complete their investigation.



