British pair in lucky escape after Uber nosedives into sea in Cannes – but they're still charged for ride

‘If I wasn’t in a fit and able state we would all be 100 per cent dead,’ said Londoner who escaped the sinking vehicle

Uber refunded victims after initially charging for traumatic ride (Getty)

Two Londoners made a lucky escape from a sinking Uber car after it was driven off the end of a jetty and into the sea in Cannes.

Nick Christoforou, 31, managed to open the car door underwater and pull his friend Sophia Toon, 23, to safety following the traumatic dive in the water off the French Riviera coastline.

The Uber driver, who was breathalysed and found to be sober, also wriggled free of his vehicle and swam back to the surface.

“If I wasn’t in a fit and able state we would all be 100 per cent dead,” said Mr Christoforou, a real estate employee from north London.

Mr Christoforou and Ms Toon were on a work-related trip in Cannes when the incident took place.

Despite the pair’s ordeal, the ride hailing app reportedly still charged them £18 for the trip, although the fare has since been refunded.

Uber has banned the driver from picking up any more fares via the popular app.

“One minute I was in the back of an Uber heading home, and the next I was in the sea,” Mr Christoforou told The Sun.

“All of a sudden I felt falling. Five seconds later and the car was filling up with water. Even now I am not certain what caused it.”

Images show the Citroen DS5 car partially submerged in 10ft of water at Port Pierre Canto.

A police spokesperson said the Uber car had sunk slowly, giving the passengers time to escape.

“We were shocked to hear about this terrible accident and are grateful that everyone in the vehicle is safe,” said a spokesperson for Uber.

“We contacted both passengers to ensure they were OK and are offering counselling while they await the outcome of their (insurance) claim.”

She added: “The driver involved is no longer able to use the Uber app.”