Car Plunges into Lake Whitney
Driver Escapes
HFD Divers Brave 40 Degree Water to Abate Spillage Problems
Sunday, April 19th
Press Release from the Office of the Fire Chief:
On Sunday April 19, 2015 at 8:22 pm the Hamden Fire Department was dispatched to a motor vehicle accident on Waite Street, West of Whitney Avenue. On arrival, a single car was found to have jumped the guardrail and safety fence and landed in Lake Whitney.
One male occupant had self-extricated the fully submerged Nissan Maxima, with minor injuries. The driver climbed the steep bank and met arriving firefighters on the roadway. He was transported to the hospital for evaluation.
Firefighters Matthew Kellick and Shane Schaffer donned cold water protective suits for a primary search and deployed a ring of absorbent booms to help contain any fluids that may leach from the vehicle during removal from the water. The inland water temperature remains in the mid-40’s.
The Regional Water Authority was called to the scene for evaluation of the waterway. A heavy wrecker was dispatched for removal of the automobile.
Firefighters worked with the tow company to rig the vehicle for removal. The Hamden Police Department is investigating the accident.
Posted 4/20/15 - 2220 hours
|
