Drowned couple pulled from icy water hugging each other

A young couple who drowned when their car plunged into an icy river in China were discovered hugging one another when the vehicle was pulled from the river hours later.

Zhang Tung, 36, and his girlfriend, An Feng, 29, were locked frozen in an embrace and had to be separated by rescuers.

It is understood the pair unknowingly parked their vehicle on a slab of ice as they waited at the riverside for a ferry. The weight of the vehicle caused the surface to give way and the car plunged into the water.

The couple were due to attend a friend's party on the other side of the river, according to local media reports.

Tragic accident:  Zhang Tung and girlfriend An Feng were still hugging when rescuers pulled their car from an icy river. Photo: People.cn
Tragic accident: Zhang Tung and girlfriend An Feng were still hugging when rescuers pulled their car from an icy river. Photo: People.cn

Fisherman Yi Liang witnessed the tragic accident and raised the alarm.

"I saw the car go into the water, and rushed over to help somebody out when they came to the surface, but they never came to the surface," he told a local TV station.

"Their arms were already locked in an embrace with each other. It was really tragic. I guess they realised they were not going to get out, and had held on to each other when they died."

Locals desperately tried to free the trapped couple from the submerged car but their efforts proved unsuccessful.