A person suspected to be the driver of a pickup truck discovered in the Bow River was saved on Thursday morning, according to the Calgary Fire Department. The incident was reported around 6:35 a.m. when firefighters were alerted to a vehicle in the river downstream from the Zoo Bridge. Upon arrival, it was confirmed that there were no occupants inside the vehicle. The fire department, along with Calgary Police Service and a towing company, collaborated to extract the truck from the water. Additionally, a hazardous materials team was dispatched to evaluate the water for any potential fuel or oil leaks. Absorbent materials were deployed to contain any hydrocarbons present.
Later in the morning around 11 a.m., rescue crews located a person on an island downstream from where the truck was found. The individual, believed to be the truck driver, was conscious and responsive. Calgary Fire Department spokesperson Alex Kwan noted the complexities of such rescue operations, involving considerations of varying water depths and the protection of the river’s surroundings.
The circumstances leading to the truck entering the river remain unclear, and law enforcement authorities are now handling the investigation.