An Ontario woman likely has a Good Samaritan to thank for her life after her car plunged into the frigid Ottawa River Tuesday evening.

Pierre Daoust told CTV Ottawa he did what anyone in his situation would have done when he jumped in the river on the cold and rainy night and helped pull the driver out of the car and to shore.

Daoust and his wife live west of Ottawa in the Dunrobin area. When they heard what sounded like a car smacking the water, Daoust quickly ran to the river as his wife dialed 911.

Daoust could see the car in the water so he yelled out to the driver from shore, but couldn't hear anything.

"So I jumped in the water," He said.

When Daoust got next to the car, he could hear the driver, who was the only one in the car, knocking on the glass. She was able to get the window down as water rushed into the vehicle. Daoust helped get the woman out of the car and pulled her to shore.

"I was surprised how quickly the car started sinking," he said. "She was stressed out."

Fire crews, paramedics and police arrived on the scene within minutes to help Daoust and the driver. Both were cold, but are going to be okay.

A tow truck arrived later and pulled the car back onto dry land. It isn't known why the woman drove into the river.

Ottawa police are investigating.

With files from CTV Ottawa's Claudia Cautillo