As the sun set over the Ohio River on Wednesday, first responders recovered a vehicle that plunged into the water Tuesday night.
Pomeroy Police Chief Chris Pitchford said crews at the scene Tuesday night rescued a child from the vehicle. The child was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
“Last night there was a crash involving a female driver and a young child,” Pitchford said. “The vehicle went over the embankment into the river. Some first responders were able to rescue the little girl.”
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported that the crash occurred just before 8:45 p.m. Tuesday. The vehicle traveled off the right side of the road, struck a utility pole, then crossed to the left side and entered the river.
According to the Pomeroy Fire Department, two firefighters were the first to arrive and walked onto the ice to reach the child. After bringing the child back to the riverbank, one firefighter fell through the ice. The second firefighter jumped into the water in an effort to locate the driver but was unable to find her.
Both first responders were transported to the hospital and treated for hypothermia. They were released a few hours later.
“The female driver was not able to be rescued at the time,” Pitchford said. “Since then, we’ve had first responders and other rescue personnel from all around Ohio here on scene trying to formulate plans and such to get the vehicle and the driver.”
Recovery teams worked continuously to retrieve the vehicle and driver but faced significant challenges due to freezing temperatures and icy conditions. Pitchford said the car was resting nearly 30 feet below the surface.
“The ice in certain places is fairly thick, which kind of hinders first responders’ diving operations, pretty much everything,” Pitchford said. “Even just the current of the water and obviously the temperature being cold. It’s just been a hindrance.”