A dramatic video has emerged from China of a car driving directly into a river, and nearly hitting a small cargo ship.

The CCTV footage, captured on Tuesday in Shanghai, shows the black car smashing through a weak barrier, rushing into the river and pretty much hitting a blue cargo ship.

According to local media, the driver was trying to park near the riverside. However, she mistook the accelerator pedal for the brake, and went flying into the river.

Fortunately, she wasn't hurt and managed to get out of the car.