Woman Takes Selfie on Top of Her Car as It Sinks into Frozen River

A woman in Ottawa has been spotted taking a selfie while standing on her car, which was sinking into the Rideau River in Manotick.

A rescue operation was ongoing when the woman took a selfie after her car cracked the ice and began to sink. The incident occurred on January 16 at around 4.30 a.m. according to the Ottawa police.

A bystander took a picture of the driver taking a selfie during the rescue and posted it on social media, sparking debate. The tweet was captioned: "She captured the moment with a selfie while people hurried and worried to help her."

While some people criticized the woman and accused her of being obsessed with her phone and photos, others argued she showed calm to not panic and said it was perfectly fine to make light of the situation.

Those involved in the rescue were praised by the police for their quick thinking as a kayak was used to ferry the woman off the sinking car and onto the ice.

The kayak was pushed out to the woman, who then climbed aboard. The vessel was then pulled away from the car by a rope attached.

The Ottawa Police detailed the incident in a tweet on Sunday and showed the woman's yellow car almost fully submerged in the river.

The tweet was captioned: "This evening a car went through the ice in the south end of Ottawa.

"Thankfully no injuries and an amazing job by local residents saving the driver by using a kayak and quick safe thinking.

"Another reminder that 'No Ice Is Safe Ice.' Please use extreme caution this winter season.

The police also issued a press release on the incident and explained that the woman had been charged with "one count of Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle under the Criminal Code of Canada."

It is not clear when the driver drove out onto the ice but camera footage from the houses alongside the river showed a yellow car, believed to be the driver's, speeding down the frozen river.

A full statement from the police also noted the driver was the lone occupant and she suffered no injuries.

As the car is still in the river, authorities have cautioned against curious onlookers stepping out onto the frozen ice to view the car. They said "this portion of the river is thought to be thin compared to others" and poses a danger to others.

Newsweek has contacted the Ottawa Police Department for comment.