WASHINGTON — Three people were found dead after a car was seen plunging into the Anacostia River under the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge Thursday night, officials said.
The search for the vehicle began after DC Fire and EMS were alerted by a 911 caller shortly before 11 p.m. of a possible car in the river. Track marks were found showing the vehicle entering the water, which led to the search.
A search was made for land, water and air using fire ships. Assistance came in the form of the US Coast Guard, the Metropolitan Police Department’s Port Division, the US Park Police Eagle helicopter and the MPD helicopter.
In the first hour of the search, the submerged vehicle was found, according to a report Tweet at 11:48 p.m from DC Fire and EMS.
Authorities said one victim was found inside the recovered car. “Unfortunately, this will be a recovery rather than a rescue,” DC Fire and EMS said its 12:44 p.m. update from Friday.
Divers with the DC Police continued to search the water after the discovery of the vehicle as well as a person inside and unfortunately more victims were found. In the vicinity of the submerged vehicle, less than an hour after the initial recovery, two more victims were found dead, according to authorities.
DC Fire and EMS remain on scene early Friday morning to support operations.
Investigators are still working to determine how the car ended up in the water. The people found in the water have not yet been identified.
This is a developing story. We are working to confirm additional information. Stay with WUSA9 for the latest updates as they arrive in our newsroom.
Watch the following: Kids are caught on camera packing in Southeast DC
WUSA9 is now underway Roku and Amazon Fire TVs. Download the apps today for live news and video on demand.
Download the WUSA9 app to get breaking news, weather and important stories at your fingertips.
Subscribe to the Get Up DC newsletter: Your forecast Your commute. Your news.
Sign up for the Capitol Breach email newsletter, which provides the latest breaking news and a summary of the investigation into the January 6, 2021 Capitol Breach.
