On Monday, April 6, at 12:45 p.m., the Hartford Fire Department was dispatched to the area of Quechee Main Street and Mill Run Condominiums for a report of an occupied vehicle submerged in the Ottauquechee River. According to a fire department press release, the driver was hanging onto the vehicle as it floated downstream. An ambulance from Quechee Station #2 arrived at 12:49 p.m. to find the 26-year-old woman driver and her 2-year-old son safe on the bank of the river.
The child was in a car seat in the back seat; the mother was able to unbuckle him, cut through the deployed driver-side airbag, and emerge through the window. The two were able to swim ashore safely, the release said.
First responders assisted the mother and son into an ambulance and transported them to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for evaluation; no serious injuries were apparent, according to the release.
The remaining units from Quechee Station #1 arrived at 12:55 p.m. Rescue swimmers were deployed and confirmed there were no further occupants of the vehicle.
Quechee Main Street was closed to the public during the incident. The car was removed from the river by Sabil and Sons Inc. The Fire Department stayed on scene and assisted in the removal. The Lebanon and Hanover Fire Departments were dispatched, but their services were not ultimately utilized.
The cause of the crash is being investigated by the Hartford Police Department.
