A woman was forced to write off her car after plunging it into a lake just weeks after passing her driving test with just one minor fault – with her story getting very mixed responses on TikTok.

Leia Darnell, 18 from Oxford, was over the moon to start driving her Volkswagen Polo after passing her test back just two months ago, having bought her car back in January 2022.

After visiting a local fireworks show with her boyfriend, she drove the pair home in dark and rainy conditions.

Things took a turn for the worse when Leia approached a sharp bend and launched over the riverbank into the water.

Miraculously, the pair survived but the teenager was devastated to have her car written off after just weeks on the road – taking to TikTok to share the experience, where the video racked up over two million views.

The clip shows Leia proudly showing off her driving certificate while sitting in her car, before flaunting its jewelled steering wheel and saying she is "over the moon".

Seconds later, she reveals dramatic footage of her car submerged in the water with its lights on.

The next day, the car can be seen still stuck in the water in daylight as her boyfriend reenters the vehicle to retrieve their belongings.

The vehicle is then dragged out of the water by a crane with Leia captioning the photo: "Write off." [sic]

"I remember us both looking at each other and thinking that was it," Leia said.

"We are both so unbelievably lucky to have come out from the accident as we did.

"Every other possibility of what could have happened would have resulted in us being dead.

"The experience has really taught me to value everything in life as it has made me realise just how easily you can lose everything.

"We launched over the river bank, all I remembered seeing at this point was trees in front of us.

"We then landed in the water. I was so shocked and scared I didn’t even realise until my boyfriend shouted that the car was in the water.

"The car started rapidly filling up, at this point both our doors weren’t opening.

"Somehow I managed to kick my door open and we escaped as the water was up to our necks, we swam out of the car, leaving all personal belongings behind and climbed up the riverbank to get help."

Leia called the police, with the pair told that the situation could have been much worse if the current had flipped the car upside down.

The teenager has chosen to share her story as a way of getting over the incident and getting back behind the wheel.

The video has since been removed from TikTok but is still up on Instagram, where users have shared their thoughts on the incident.

"Can’t park there mate," wrote one user.

"Looks like an accident that happens in soaps," said someone else

"That diamanté steering wheel cover says it all," wrote a third user.

"Just put it in rice," said another user.

Leia said: "I feel it is necessary for me to get back driving as soon as possible so I don’t develop a built-up fear.

"It has definitely taught me to be more cautious and to take into consideration the environment and conditions around me.

"I am obviously still in shock and am having flashbacks from the incident as it truly felt like I was stuck inside a horror film!

"I wanted to make people realise that just because you’ve passed your driving test well, it doesn’t mean you are an amazing driver.

"You only truly learn to drive once you have passed and are by yourself.

"Never think it won’t ever be you! I definitely would never have thought my first car would end up written off in a river."

A woman was forced to write off her car after plunging it into a lake just weeks after passing her driving test with just one minor fault – with her story getting very mixed responses on TikTok.

Leia Darnell, 18 from Oxford, was over the moon to start driving her Volkswagen Polo after passing her test back just two months ago, having bought her car back in January 2022.

After visiting a local fireworks show with her boyfriend, she drove the pair home in dark and rainy conditions.

Things took a turn for the worse when Leia approached a sharp bend and launched over the riverbank into the water.

Miraculously, the pair survived but the teenager was devastated to have her car written off after just weeks on the road – taking to TikTok to share the experience, where the video racked up over two million views.

The clip shows Leia proudly showing off her driving certificate while sat in her car, before flaunting its jewelled steering wheel and saying she is "over the moon".

Seconds later, she reveals dramatic footage of her car submerged in the water with its lights on.

The next day, the car can be seen still stuck in the water in daylight as her boyfriend reenters the vehicle to retrieve their belongings.

The vehicle is then dragged out the water by a crane with Leia captioning the photo: "Write off." [sic]

"I remember us both looking at each other and thinking that was it," Leia told NeedToKnow.Online.

"We are both so unbelievably lucky to have come out from the accident as we did.

"Every other possibility of what could have happened would have resulted in us being dead.

"The experience has really taught me to value everything in life as it has made me realise just how easily you can lose everything.

"We launched over the river bank, all I remembered seeing at this point was trees in front of us.

"We then landed in water. I was so shocked and scared I didn’t even realise until my boyfriend shouted that the car was in water.

"The car started rapidly filling up, at this point both our doors weren’t opening.

"Somehow I managed to kick my door open and we escaped as the water was up to our necks, we swam out the car, leaving all personal belongings behind and climbed up the riverbank to get help."

Leia called the police, with the pair told that the situation could have been much worse if the current had flipped the car upside down.

The teenager has chosen to share her story as a way of getting over the incident and getting back behind the wheel.

The video has since been removed from TikTok but is still up on Instagram, where users have shared their thoughts on the incident.

"Can’t park there mate," wrote one user.

"Looks like an accident that happens in soaps," said someone else

"That diamanté steering wheel cover says it all," wrote a third user.

"The boyfriend did NOT turn up in a wet suit and goggles. NOOO," joked another person. [sic]

"Just put it in rice," said another user.

Leia said: "I feel it is necessary for me to get back driving as soon as possible so I don’t develop a built-up fear.

"It has definitely taught me to be more cautious and to take into consideration the environment and conditions around me.

"I am obviously still in shock and am having flashbacks from the incident as it truly felt like I was stuck inside a horror film!

"I wanted to make people realise that just because you’ve passed your driving test well, it doesn’t mean you are an amazing driver.

"You only truly learn to drive once you have passed and are by yourself.

"Never think it won’t ever be you! I definitely would never have thought my first car would end up written off in a river."

ENDS

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