August 16, 2024

Car Recovered From Schuylkill River in Fairmount Park

Philadelphia police recovered a car from the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park following an hours-long search Friday. No occupants were found in the vehicle. A witness said a black, four-door sedan traveling along Kelly Drive at a high rate of speed plunged hood-first into the river from the Girard Avenue Bridge around 3:45 a.m. He said the driver slammed the brakes and shifted into reverse but could not stop.

The witness called the police and attempted a rescue but was instructed by the 911 dispatcher not to enter the fast-moving water. He said he could see the driver slumped over the steering wheel as the car floated into one of the bridge pillars. The car floated under the bridge and sank on the opposite side before emergency crews arrived.

At daybreak, an oil slick could be seen on the river’s surface. The Philadelphia Police Marine Unit Dive Team located the car in roughly 25 to 30 feet of water just after 7:00 a.m. Emergency crews battled murky water and strong currents, moving the vehicle and making extraction efforts difficult. Police said it is unclear whether the incident was intentional or an accident. A search for occupants and an investigation is ongoing.

If you have been injured in a car accident, call Anthony C. Gagliano III, P.C. at 267-861-7100 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia and King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, we serve clients throughout Montgomery County, Delaware County, Bucks County, Chester County, and Norristown.