WORTH, Ill., Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Police in Worth, Ill., say a man's vehicle sank into Cal-Sag Channel after he attempted to back his rear tires into the water to determine if there was a leak.

Authorities said the man backed his sports utility vehicle down a boat ramp at about 7 p.m. Tuesday in an effort to pinpoint whether one of his tires was leaking. However, when he exited the vehicle it rolled into the water, the Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday.


A friend of the man who arrived on the scene to bring him dry clothes said the man got soaked trying to re-enter the SUV to press on the brake.

Firefighters from at least seven departments showed up and the SUV was pulled from its resting place about 10 feet off the end of the ramp. The vehicle was out of the water by 9 p.m., authorities said.

"He feels very stupid," the friend said of the driver.