NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — A woman inside a submerged car near the edge of Niagara Falls was already dead when she was pulled from the vehicle, authorities said Wednesday.
The car was only 50 yards from the brink of the American Falls, according to New York State Park Police.
A diver had been lowered by helicopter to the vehicle, The Buffalo News reported. The diver, survival technician Derrian Duryea, braved strong winds and swift currents and opened the passenger door, pulled the woman out and lifted her to shore, according to the newspaper.
Today, we mourn the loss of a life.
— USCG Great Lakes (@USCGGreatLakes) December 9, 2021
We commend the readiness and courage demonstrated today by our crew to effect an 80ft. hoist from a submerged vehicle 20 yards from the top of Niagara Falls in foul weather. "For them we are #SemperParatus." #USCG
The woman, whose name was not released, was in her late 60s and was alone in the car, WKBW reported. The car entered the river between the pedestrian and vehicle bridges, the television station reported.
Police said it appears to have been an intentional act.
Overnight, the car appeared to have turned upside-down and had drifted at least 40 yards to within 40 feet of the falls, WIVB reported.
>> Woman pulled from car that was submerged in Niagara Falls
“We have never had a vehicle in the water this close to the brink,” New York State Park Police Capt. Chris Rola said at a news conference.
It is unclear what led to the incident, police said.
12/8/21-A US Coast Guard Helicopter from Detroit prepares to send personnel to enter a vehicle in the Niagara River feet from the brink of the falls! Unfortunately the victim didn’t make it. 1/2 @firenf714 @USCGGreatLakes pic.twitter.com/udrAmzdkqq
— FBNY (@FBNY_WNY) December 9, 2021
According to Rola, the Coast Guard was used after park police could not make a successful recovery, CNN reported.
The New York Power Authority lowered water levels during the incident to allow easier access to the vehicle, the News reported.
A police drone was used to read the vehicle’s license plate and determine how many people were in the vehicle, according to the newspaper. The woman was the only occupant in the vehicle.
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