A 23-year-old man is dead after the car he was driving rolled into the Rideau River early yesterday morning.
Police, paramedics and fire services all responded to the call at around 3:45 a.m. yesterday for an occupant trapped inside a car in the Rideau River off of River Road near Snake Island Road.
Police said when officials arrived on scene, emergency crews found the vehicle upside down with the driver unconscious and with no vital signs, trapped underwater inside the car.
A police officer and paramedic climbed into the river and attempted to free the driver by breaking the door open with rescue axes and cutting his seatbelt with shears.
Using ropes and support from Ottawa Fire Service, he was lifted up the eight-foot embankment to the side of the road, where a second paramedic crew tried to resuscitate him.
Police said the driver was transported to hospital where doctors were able to briefly raise a pulse, but he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Police are still investigating the cause of the accident.
