Workers had to raise the car out of the sea upside down after five hours.
“We received a call to say that a Ford car had entered the water just down the slipway to the chain ferry entrance at 2.30pm,” said Allan Norman from HM Coastguard.
“The driver was secure and unharmed.” I believe she got out of the car, which then slid into the sea.
‘Our primary concern was to make sure everyone is safe and we need to extract to vehicle to prevent pollution and make sure the chain ferry could run safely.’
Witness Heidi Garsden said: ‘The lady went inside to buy an ice cream and when she came back the car was gone.
‘The car was bobbing around in the water for a bit before it sank.
‘It must have been heartbreaking for her to watch.’
A spokesperson for Dorset police said: ‘We received a report at 2.22pm of an incident involving a car in the water at Banks Road in Sandbanks, Poole.
‘Officers have attended and are liaising with the coastguard and the harbourmaster.
‘The incident has resulted in the suspension of the Sandbanks Ferry and congestion in the area. Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible.
‘It has been confirmed the car is unoccupied and there are no reports of any injuries.’
Sandbanks ferry was temporarily stopped but services resumed after about an hour.