For Immediate Release
Monday, July 30, 2018
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Newburyport Police and Fire Respond to Vehicle in Merrimack River
NEWBURYPORT — City Marshal Mark Murray and Chief Christopher LeClaire report that the Newburyport Police and Fire Departments responded to a vehicle in the Merrimack River yesterday.
On Sunday, July 29 at 1:49 p.m., Newburyport Police and Fire were dispatched to Cashman Park for a report of a vehicle that drove into the Merrimack River.
Upon arrival, first responders observed a 2004 Subaru Forester completely submerged in the water. The 79-year-old driver from Newburyport, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was reported to be safe in a Newburyport harbor patrol boat.
According to witnesses, a bystander was able to pull the man out of the car as it filled with water and get him to the harbor patrol boat.
An initial investigation indicates that while at Cashman Park, the driver accidentally stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake pedal, causing the vehicle to travel over the sidewalk, down the embankment and into the water.
A diver from the Newburyport Fire Department assisted Volpone Towing with pulling the vehicle out of the water.
The driver declined medical treatment and no injuries were reported.
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