Vehicle wildly driven, submerged into Shetucket River

An early morning crash Thursday sent a vehicle into the Shetucket River, although the driver escaped serious injuries.

At approximately 5:30 a.m. the vehicle drove off the side of the Water Street Bridge into the river. The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was able to escape the vehicle and swim to shore. The man was taken conscious and alert, to William W. Backus Hospital for non-life threatening injuries, according to a press release from the Norwich Police Department.

By 7 a.m. Thursday, crews were working to remove the submerged vehicle. They were also inspecting the bridge and investigating the accident, the press release said.

Barriers were provided at New Wharf Road and the Water Street Bridge by Norwich Public Works and the state Department of Transportation. The vehicle was found to be clear of utility lines. Members of the Norwich Dive Team worked for 30 minutes try to recover the vehicle, 27 feet deep in the river. Operations halted at 8:42 a.m. Thursday due to low visibility and strong currents. Part of Howard Brown Park remains closed as recovery plans are further developed, according to a press release from the Norwich Fire Department.