History Main / TrappedInASinkingCar

Want to show a character struggle for survival in a dangerous DrowningPit situation that is easy to set up? Look no further, simply have the victim trapped in a car shooting off a cliff or bridge straight into the water below. Often preceded by [[VehicularSabotage malfunctioning brakes]], [[PopTheTires blown tires]], an [[DeadfootLeadfoot incapacitated driver]] or the car [[VehicularAssault being rammed off]] by another car. Bonus points if the [[JammedSeatbelts seatbelts are jammed]] once the vehicle hits the surface of the water.\\

Want to show a character struggle for survival in a dangerous DrowningPit situation that is easy to set up? Look no further, simply have the victim trapped in a car shooting off a cliff or bridge straight into the water below. Often preceded by [[VehicularSabotage malfunctioning brakes]], [[PopTheTires blown tires]], an [[DeadfootLeadfoot incapacitated driver]] or the car [[VehicularAssault being rammed off]] by another car. Bonus points if the [[JammedSeatbelts seatbelts are jammed]] after the vehicle dashed into the water.\\

Want to show a character struggle for survival in a dangerous DrowningPit situation that is easy to set up? Look no further, simply have the victim trapped in a car shooting off a cliff or bridge straight into the water below. Often preceded by [[VehicularSabotage malfunctioning brakes]], [[PopTheTires blown tires]], an [[DeadfootLeadfoot incapacitated driver]] or [[VehicularAssault being rammed off]] by another car. Favorite trope for villains who want to get rid of a character who [[HeKnowsTooMuch knows too much]] and needs to be silenced in a [[MakeItLookLikeAnAccident non-suspicious way]]. If executed successfully, the victim might end up [[NeverFoundTheBody never being found]].

TruthInTelevision in the sense that plunging a car into water can be [[DoNotAttempt very, very dangerous]]. The pressure of the water against the door could make it physically impossible to open if the passenger does not open the door immediately. Indeed, the pressure of the water against the ''window'' may make ''it'' impossible to open via conventional means, whether it's a manual crank or electric. There are two ways out of the situation: SoftGlass (which can be invoked by using a tool meant to shatter tempered glass) or waiting for the pressure differential between the inside and outside to stabilize, which won't happen until the cabin is filled to the brim. Watch Series/MythBusters [[JustForFun/TropesExaminedByTheMythBusters demonstrating this trope]] in episode [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YaMEW30bv4 Underwater Car]] and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3_HEKMgqbE Inverted Underwater Car]].

* The BMW short film [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZD-rKtjNLU Hostage]] is about a [[RaceAgainstTheClock race]] to find a woman trapped in a car trunk that has been parked at water's edge before the tide rolls in. Of course, Creator/CliveOwen comes to rescue her JustInTime.

Want to show a character struggle for survival in a dangerous DrowningPit situation that is easy to set up? Simply have them trapped in a car shooting off a cliff or bridge straight into the water below. Often preceded by [[VehicularSabotage malfunctioning brakes]], [[PopTheTires blown tires]], an [[DeadfootLeadfoot incapacitated driver]] or [[VehicularAssault being rammed off]] by another car. Favorite trope for villains who want to get rid of a character who [[HeKnowsTooMuch knows too much]] and needs to be silenced in a [[MakeItLookLikeAnAccident non-suspicious way]]. If executed successfully, the victim might end up [[NeverFoundTheBody never being found]].

Want to show a character struggle for survival in a dangerous DrowningPit situation that is [[LazyArtist easy to set up]]? Simply have them trapped in a car shooting off a cliff or bridge straight into the water below. Often preceded by [[VehicularSabotage malfunctioning brakes]], [[PopTheTires blown tires]], an [[DeadfootLeadfoot incapacitated driver]] or [[VehicularAssault being rammed off]] by another car. Favorite trope for villains who want to get rid of a character who [[HeKnowsTooMuch knows too much]] and needs to be silenced in a [[MakeItLookLikeAnAccident non-suspicious way]]. If executed successfully, the victim might end up [[NeverFoundTheBody never being found]].

Want to show a character [[DeathTrap struggle for survival]] in a dangerous DrowningPit situation that is [[LazyArtist easy to set up]]? Simply have them trapped in a car shooting off a cliff or bridge straight into the water below. Often preceded by [[VehicularSabotage malfunctioning brakes]], [[PopTheTires blown tires]], an [[DeadfootLeadfoot incapacitated driver]] or [[VehicularAssault being rammed off]] by another car. Favorite trope for villains who want to get rid of a character who [[HeKnowsTooMuch knows too much]] and needs to be silenced in a [[MakeItLookLikeAnAccident non-suspicious way]]. If executed successfully, the victim might end up [[NeverFoundTheBody never being found]].

Sometimes averted in fiction when the car turns into an AmphibiousAutomobile.

Want to show a character [[DeathTrap struggle for survival]] in a dangerous DrowningPit situation that is easy to set up? Simply have them trapped in a car shooting off a cliff or bridge straight into the water below. Often preceded by [[VehicularSabotage malfunctioning brakes]], [[PopTheTires blown tires]], an [[DeadfootLeadfoot incapacitated driver]] or [[VehicularAssault being rammed off]] by another car. Favorite trope for villains who want to get rid of a character who [[HeKnowsTooMuch knows too much]] and needs to be silenced in a [[MakeItLookLikeAnAccident non-suspicious way]]. If executed successfully, the victim might end up [[NeverFoundTheBody never being found]].

TruthInTelevision in the sense that plunging a car into water can be [[DoNotAttempt very, very dangerous]]. The pressure of the water against the door could make it physically impossible to open if the passenger does not open the door immediately. There are two ways out of the situation: SoftGlass or waiting for the pressure differential between the inside and outside to stabilize, which won't happen until the cabin is filled to the brim. Watch Series/MythBusters [[JustForFun/TropesExaminedByTheMythBusters demonstrating this trope]] in episode [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YaMEW30bv4 Underwater Car]] and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3_HEKMgqbE Inverted Underwater Car]].

* ''Webcomic/TheAnimeClub'': Parodied using BlackComedy in part 6. The boys have decided to drown themselves by driving a car into the ocean. But Mort wants the group to die by poisoning, causing an argument over what's a more "classy way to die". Then Mort reveals he poisoned all their drinks with a slow acting agent before they left. They die of poisoning and the car stops just short of driving off the pier.

Want to show a character [[DeathTrap struggle for survival]] in a dangerous DrowningPit situation that is easy to set up? Simply have them trapped in a car shooting off a cliff or bridge straight into the water below. Often preceded by [[VehicularSabotage malfunctioning brakes]], [[PopTheTires blown tires]], an [[DeadfootLeadfoot incapacitated driver]] or being [[VehicularAssault rammed off]] by another car. Favorite trope for villains who want to get rid of a character who [[HeKnowsTooMuch knows too much]] and needs to be silenced in a [[MakeItLookLikeAnAccident non-suspicious way]]. If executed successfully, the victim might end up [[NeverFoundTheBody never being found]].

Want to show a character [[DeathTrap struggle for survival]] in a dangerous DrowningPit situation that is easy to set up? Simply have them trapped in a car shooting off a cliff or bridge straight into the water below. Often preceded by [[VehicularSabotage malfunctioning brakes]], [[PopTheTires blown tires]], an [[DeadfootLeadfoot incapacitated driver]] or being [[VehicularAssault rammed off]] by another car. Favorite trope for villains who want to get rid of a character who [[HeKnowsTooMuch knows too much]] and needs to be silenced in a [[MakeItLookLikeAnAccident non-suspicious way]]. If executed successfully, the victim might end up [[NeverFoundTheBody never been found]].

* In ''Film/{{Beetlejuice}}'' the Maitlands accidentally drive off a bridge and drown in the beginning of the film, the rest is about their ghosts haunting the new residents of their house.

* ''Film/DoubleJeopardy'': Libby is tied to a car in handcuffs, as she tries to escape the car she drives into the lake sinking rapidly.

* In ''Film/TheThieves'', the police van drives into the harbour when the thieves attempt to escape. Everyone manages to get out when it hits the water, except for Pepsee who ends up handcuffed to the inside of the van and is trapped in the sinking van.

* ''Series/{{Alias}}'': In the BackStory Sidney's mother died when she drowned in her car. It was discovered after she died that she was a KGB operative. During one episode Sidney has to temporarily fake her death and she does so by driving her car off a pier, then surviving by breathing the air in the tires. This clues her into the fact that her mother might not have drowned as everyone thought.

** A 2014 story ends with criminal siblings Silver and Sprocket Nitrate locked inside a car at the bottom of a lake--where Sprocket had deliberately driven them after her brother struck her. The story cuts away before they actually drown, but they aren't reported as living either.

* In ''VideoGame/HeavyRain'', a bad guy attempts to drown Scott Shelby and Lauren Winters, who have come too close to discovering his crimes, in their car. You play as Scott and must find a way to escape before the time runs out--if you are fast enough, you can even save the unconscious Lauren.

* ''Webcomic/TheAnimeClub'': Parodied using black comedy in part 6. The boys have decided to drown themselves by driving a car into the ocean. But Mort wants the group to die by poisoning, causing an argument over what's a more "classy way to die". Then Mort reveals he poisoned all their drinks with a slow acting agent before they left. They die of poisoning and the car stops just short of driving off the pier.

* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'': In "[[Recap/SouthParkS5E14ButtersVeryOwnEpisode Butters' Very Own Episode]]" Butters' mom tries to drown him by locking him in the car and sending it into the river, blaming it on "some Puerto Rican guy."

* NBC News anchor Jessica Savitch was killed along with her boyfriend when he, driving away from a restaurant in a heavy rain storm, took a wrong turn and instead of driving away on the main road took an access road that led to a drainage canal.

-->''"His beloved car will be his grave."''

TruthInTelevision in the sense that plunging a car into water can be [[DontTryThisAtHome very, very dangerous]]. The pressure of the water against the door could make it physically impossible to open if the passenger does not open the door immediately. There are two ways out of the situation: SoftGlass or waiting for the pressure differential between the inside and outside to stabilize, which won't happen until the cabin is filled to the brim. Watch Series/MythBusters [[JustForFun/TropesExaminedByTheMythBusters demonstrating this trope]] in episode [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YaMEW30bv4 Underwater Car]] and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3_HEKMgqbE Inverted Underwater Car]].

Want to show a character [[DeathTrap struggle for survival]] in a dangerous DrowningPit situation that is easy to set up? Simply have them trapped in a car shooting off a cliff or bridge straight into the water below. Often preceded by [[VehicularSabotage malfunctioning brakes]], [[PopTheTires blown tires]], an [[DeadfootLeadfoot incapacitated driver]] or being [[VehicularAssault rammed off]] by another car. In any event, the character [[HeKnowsTooMuch knows too much]] and needs to be silenced in a [[MakeItLookLikeAnAccident non-suspicious way]]. If executed successfully, the victim might end up [[NeverFoundTheBody never been found]].

-->"His beloved car will be his grave."

* ''StrangeBrew'' - the McKenzie brothers' van is sabotaged and they careen off a pier. When police scuba divers later attempt a recovery, they find the van's inhabitants inside 'drinking' air from all the empty beer bottles they have.

* In ''Film/TheThieves'', the police van drives into the harbour when the thieves attempt to escape. Everyone manages to get out when it hts the water, except for Pepsee who ends up handcuffed to the inside of the van and is trapped in the sinking van.

* ''Film/{{Superman}}'' offers an unusual and disturbing case of Car Drowning In Dirt. Lois Lane is off somewhere in the desert of the American Southwest when an earthquake fault opens up and swallows her car. She is then buried under an avalanche of dirt.

* In ''Film/KissKissBangBang'', Harry tries to free a girl from the trunk of a sinking car. [[spoiler: His desperate attempt to ShootOutTheLock of the trunk results in giving the girl a headshot. NiceJobBreakingItHero.]]

* Invoked in ''Film/{{Inception}}'', when the team's van is driven off a bridge to make them wake up from a deeper dream state.

Want to show a character [[DeathTrap struggle for survival]] in a dangerous DrowningPit situation that's easy to set up? Simply have them trapped in a car shooting off a cliff or bridge straight into the water below. Often preceded by [[VehicularSabotage malfunctioning brakes]], [[PopTheTires blown tires]], an [[DeadfootLeadfoot incapacitated driver]] or being [[VehicularAssault rammed off]] by another car. In any event, the character [[HeKnowsTooMuch knows too much]] and needs to be silenced in a [[MakeItLookLikeAnAccident non-suspicious way]]. If executed successfully, the victim might end up [[NeverFoundTheBody never been found]].

Want to show a character[[DeathTrap struggle for survival]] in a dangerous DrowningPit situation that's easy to set up? Simply have them trapped in a car shooting off a cliff or bridge straight into the water below. Often preceded by [[VehicularSabotage malfunctioning brakes]], [[PopTheTires blown tires]], an [[DeadfootLeadfoot incapacitated driver]] or being [[VehicularAssault rammed off]] by another car. In any event, the victim [[HeKnowsTooMuch knows too much]] and needs to be silenced in a [[MakeItLookLikeAnAccident non-suspicious way]]. If executed successfully, the victim might end up [[NeverFoundTheBody never been found]].

Want to show a victim [[DeathTrap struggle for survival]] in a DrowningPit situation that's easy to set up? Just have them trapped in a car shooting off a cliff or bridge straight into the water below. Often preceded by [[VehicularSabotage malfunctioning brakes]], [[PopTheTires blown tires]], an [[DeadfootLeadfoot incapacitated driver]] or being [[VehicularAssault rammed off]] by another car. In any event, the victim [[HeKnowsTooMuch knows too much]] and needs to be silenced in a [[MakeItLookLikeAnAccident non-suspicious way]]. If executed successfully, the victim might end up [[NeverFoundTheBody never been found]].

* ''NewspaperComics/DickTracy'': A 2014 story ends with criminal siblings Silver and Sprocket Nitrate locked inside a car at the bottom of a lake--where Sprocket had deliberately driven them after her brother struck her. The story cuts away before they actually drown, but they aren't reported as living either.

TruthInTelevision in the sense that plunging a car into water can be very, very dangerous. The pressure of the water against the door could make it physically impossible to open if the passenger does not open the door immediately. There are two ways out of the situation: SoftGlass or waiting for the pressure differential between the inside and outside to stabilize, which won't happen until the cabin is filled to the brim. Watch Series/MythBusters [[JustForFun/TropesExaminedByTheMythBusters demonstrating this trope]] in episode [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YaMEW30bv4 Underwater Car]] and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3_HEKMgqbE Inverted Underwater Car]].