Sweet Home authorities investigate submerged vehicle incident at Foster Dam | News

SWEET HOME, Oregon – Rescue crews were dispatched to Foster Dam after a vehicle submerged in the water was reported on June 21. However, despite efforts by the fire department, Linn County Sheriff’s Office and bystanders, no occupants were found. The incident is now being investigated by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.

On June 21 at 5:13 p.m., the Sweet Home Fire Department was alerted after receiving a report of a vehicle in the water near Foster Dam, authorities said. According to the Sweet Home Fire District, passersby reported witnessing the accident and did not see any of the occupants escape from the vehicle.

Authorities said an ambulance from Sweet Home arrived at the scene first, along with officers from the Sweet Home Police Department. A firefighter and a police officer walked across the bank to the scene, where bystanders in the water attempted to reach the vehicle and search for occupants.

The firefighter entered the water and repeatedly tried to get inside the vehicle using a compressed air breathing apparatus to search for the occupants. The vehicle was located in an estimated 2 meters of water, authorities said.

According to the Sweet Home Fire District, a Linn County Sheriff’s boat, which was already on Foster Lake at the time of the incident, arrived on scene and assisted with rescue efforts. The Sweet Home Fire Department arrived with a second boat, a second ambulance and an incident commander.

Attempts to locate the vehicle’s occupants were unsuccessful, authorities said. It is currently believed that the driver was the only occupant.

Authorities with the Sweet Home Fire District said rescue efforts were terminated after about 45 minutes of searching and the scene was turned over to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, where they awaited the arrival of the dive team. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the ongoing investigation.