Crime & Safety
UPDATE: Elderly Man's Family Saw Him Drive Car into Cos Cob Harbor
What was supposed to be a family day spent in boating Greenwich waters turned to tragedy for a Westchester man Monday afternoon.
Photos of Cos Cob Harbor rescue scene courtesy of News 12.
Update: 5:05 p.m.
What was supposed to be a family boat outing out of Cos Cob Harbor Monday afternoon, turned to tragedy when an 80-year-old man inexplicably drove his Chrysler minivan over a rock wall at the boat launch sinking in 10 to 12 feet of water, Greenwich police and fire officials said.
It was about 1:30 p.m. when “distraught family members called 9-1-1 to report their elderly father had driven off boat ramp into the harbor,” said Police spokesman Lt. Kraig Gray.
Find out what's happening in Greenwichfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“It was witnessed by the family,” Gray said. “They were planning a day of boating launching from the Cos Cob Marina.”
Greenwich Deputy Fire Chief Thomas Zack said, “Family members with children were there. Obviously, it was an hysterical situation.”
Find out what's happening in Greenwichfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Greenwich Police officers arriving on the scene jumped into the water in an effort to locate the vehicle and the driver. Moments later Greenwich firefighters arrived and assisted in the search. It was about 10 minutes after the 9-1-1 call that divers from Sound Beach Volunteer Fire Department arrived. They, along with a member of the Greenwich Police Dive Team, found the vehicle and located the victim who was brought to shore.
Zack said that he had divers check the vehicle twice to ensure there was only one victim. Zack said the vehicle entered the water by somehow driving over a rock wall that lines the boat launch. The vehicle was found about 30 feet offshore at high tide, Zack said.
Greenwich Emergency Medical Service personnel administered CPR in an effort to save the man who is from Westchester County, NY. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital a short time later, according to Gray.
Gray said police are withholding the victim’s identity so that his family can notify relatives. He said the man’s identity should be available on Tuesday.
Gray added, “The Greenwich Police Traffic Section is continuing their investigation into what appears to be a tragic accident.”
A heavy duty tow truck equipped with a rotating boom was brought to the scene to remove the vehicle from the water, according to Zack. Fire and police divers assisted with securing the vehicle to the tow.
Check back for updates including the identity of the victim.
Update: 3:27 p.m.
Greenwich Police confirm that an elderly man has died after driving his car into Cos Cob Harbor Monday afternoon.
The identity of the victim was not immediately available but police believe the victim is either from New York or New Jersey.
Check back for updates.
Updated: 2:30 p.m.
One person has been rescued from a vehicle that went into the water in Cos Cob Harbor on Monday afternoon.
The incident occurred in the area of 98 Strickland Rd. in the Cos Cob neighborhood of Greenwich, according to the Greenwich Fire Department. One person was rescued by divers from the Sound Beach Fire Department, according to a Greenwich Fire Department post on Twitter.
Original story:
Greenwich Fire Department reportedly is conducting a technical rescue with a vehicle in the water at 98 Strickland Rd. in Cos Cob, shortly after 2 p.m. Monday.
The scene is in the area of Cos Cob Harbor.
Check back for updates.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
