Car crashes, lands in Thames River

NORWICH — A driver was hospitalized Thursday morning after their car crashed on the Laurel Hill Bridge and landed in the Thames River, officials said.

In a news release, Norwich Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Dziavit said Norwich emergency dispatch was called just after 5:30 a.m. on Thursday about a vehicle crashing on the bridge on Water Street and landing in the river. He said first responders arrived minutes later and a fire department vehicle started to search for the vehicle in the water while others began looking from land.

Dziavit said the driver had gotten out of the vehicle and was found on land along the riverbank on New Wharf Road. He said emergency medical crews treated the driver before an ambulance brought the driver to Backus Hospital.

The Providence and Worcester railroad was shut down as crews operated around the train tracks, Dziavit said. He said the vehicle was found resting on its passenger side but barely visible. With an incoming tide, he said, landmarks on shore were identified before visual sight would be lost.

At 5:46 a.m., Dziavit said, fire officials requested the Norwich Dive Team, which consists of members of the Taftville and Yantic fire departments, to search for the vehicle and assist with vehicle recovery. He said the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard were called to assist with marine operations and the hazardous materials from the vehicle.

“The Norwich Police provided officers for scene control where the vehicle left the roadway and also at Brown Park, where fire department marine operations were conducted,” he said. “Norwich Public Works and Connecticut DOT worked to provide barriers at New Wharf Road and the Water Street Bridge.”

Dziavit said Norwich Public Utilities ensured power, gas and water lines were clear in the area of the submerged vehicle, adding Northeast Towing provided a heavy duty tow truck. Once all groups were satisfied with an operational recovery plan, he said, divers entered the water to begin salvage operations.

Divers worked for 30 minutes, Dziavit said, but due to the strong current and zero visibility at the vehicle’s location, which was approximately 27 feet under water, operations were stopped at 8:42 a.m.

“All personnel and boats were removed [from] the water and accounted for,” he said. “An area of Brown Park remains closed to vehicle parking as vehicle recovery plans are further developed.”