Elderly Man Rescued After Vehicle Plunged Into Pawcatuck River: Police

PAWCATUCK, CT — A man police describe as being elderly and from Massachusetts, was rescued by Westerly first responders Monday night after his SUV "drove off the end of Coggswell Street, entered the water and became grounded near the Route 1 bridge."

Westerly Police Chief Paul Gingerella told Patch that Westerly firefighters were "able to use their boat for a water rescue and were able to pull him out as it was sinking."

Gingerellla said he did not have much more information on the driver other than that he's "elderly and from Massachusetts."

By late Tuesday morning, Gingerella said, the man was "home and doesn’t remember much."

Stonington Police Department Deputy Police Chief Todd Olson said the vehicle will be removed from the Pawcatuck River Tuesday, with Gingerella noting "we're waiting until low tide."

Stonington police are investigating the incident, Olson said.

The Westerly Fire Department, Pawcatuck Fire Department, Westerly Ambulance Corps and the Westerly and Stonington police departments all responded.