Car Plunges into Columbia River

Police think the car may have been stolen, and that the thieves intentionally drove the car into the river.

Salem-News.com

(PORTLAND, Ore. ) - At 11:53 PM, Portland Fire & Rescue was dispatched to 158th and NE Marine Dr. on the report of a car in the Columbia River.

A witness had seen the car drive off the side of the road, pause briefly on the walking path, then rev the motor and drive into the river.

The witness reported that he couldn't see the scene very well but didn't see anyone on the path after the car went into the water.

Portland Fire & Rescue responded with Firefighters from Station 2, the Dive Rescue Team, and Rescue Boat 17. When Engine 2 arrived on scene at 11:59 PM they reported a car in the water about 20 ft. from shore.

Firefighters searched the shoreline, while the rescue boat checked the river for anyone that may have escaped the car and swam to shore, or was still in the water.

Thermal imaging cameras were used both on the water and shore to check the area, and Rescue Divers from Portland Fire & Rescue checked the car and found no one. The Coast Guard provided a helicopter, from Astoria, to check the entire area from the air and still nothing was found.

Divers retrieved the license number of the car, which was turned over to Portland Police. They also attached a buoy to the car so it can be easily located and removed from the river sometime on Tuesday.