Dog Swims Out Of Submerged Vehicle In Connecticut River Mishap

GLASTONBURY, CT — A dog managed to get out of a vehicle sinking in the Connecticut River, swam to the surface and was rescued Friday morning in Glastonbury.

The incident took place at abut 5 a.m. at the boathouse launch ramp off Welles Street, police said. The vehicle accidentally rolled into the river while a man was launching a duck hunting boat and a yellow Labrador became trapped inside the car, police said.

The owner managed to grab a tool and break a window as the vehicle was sinking, but the dog was unable to get out of it and the car went under, police said.

Glastonbury police and and the Glastonbury Fire Department responded to the scene.

About 20 minutes later, as police put it, "to everyone's surprise," the dog emerged from the water — alive.

The owner used his boat to remove the lab from the water and the dog was rushed to Bolton Veterinary Hospital in a Glastonbury police cruiser.

(GPD)

Police said the dog was "very cold" (the estimated water temperature was in the mid-30s, according to the (U.S. Geological Survey website), but otherwise appears to be "doing well."

Divers from the regional CREST Dive Team assisted Glastonbury Auto Body with removing the vehicle from the water, police said.

No injuries were reported.