UPDATED: Two rescued from vehicle submerged in Lake Noquochoke
Apr 16, 2022
Emergency crew workers inspect a car that drove into Lake Noquochoke Friday night. Photo by: Christopher Shea
Emergency workers get the occupants out of their submerged vehicle. Photo courtesy: Fire District No. 3
The car’s occupants are pulled to shore. Photo courtesy: Fire District No. 3
Police believe alcohol and speeding were factors in the accident. Both occupants are safe. Photo by: Christopher Shea
Salvager Tom Johnson prepares to get the car out of the lake. Photo by: Christopher Shea
Johnson signals that car has been attached to the lift. Photo by: Christopher Shea
Police rescued two people from their vehicle on Friday night after a 21-year-old motorist drove into Lake Noquochoke, police said.
According to police, at approximately 10:40 p.m., emergency crews responded to the area of 950 State Road where they found a 2016 Ford Focus submerged in approximately six to seven feet of water.
With the two occupants trapped inside the car, Dartmouth police officers Justin Amaral and Joseph Hichley, as well as Officer Jeremy Dellecese of the Westport Police Department, immediately removed their duty gear and entered the water.
Fire District 3 firefighters specially trained in ice and cold-water rescue techniques also donned dry suits and entered the water to remove two occupants and police officers from the partially submerged vehicle.
Firefighters involved in the rescue include: Lt. Mathew Whitlow, firefighters Daniel Saucier, Mathew Seland, Julie Giusti, and Patrick Mendonca.
Fire Chief Richard Arruda commends the actions of all firefighters who assisted in the rescue of the occupants of this crash.
Once in the water, emergency personnel led by District 3 Incident Commander Captain Corey Pimental swam approximately 100 feet out to the vehicle and were able to get the occupants back to shore.
The occupants of the crashed vehicle, as well as one of the officers, were transported to St. Luke’s Hospital. All three were released after they were treated for exposure and minor injuries.
The crash is still under investigation, but police said it is believed that alcohol and speeding, as well as lack of knowledge of the area, contributed to the crash.
The driver is expected to receive citations associated with the incident.
“Had it not been for the selfless acts of these officers, this unfortunate incident could have turned out much worse,” Deputy Chief of Police Tony Vincent said. “Not only do I applaud their heroic efforts, but also those of our dispatchers and the other first responders associated with this crash and subsequent rescue.”
This story was updated to include comment from Dartmouth Fire District No. 3.
