Driver Crashes Into Rippowam River In Stamford: FD

STAMFORD, CT — A driver was rescued from the Rippowam River on Monday after hitting a stone wall and driving into the water, according to fire officials.

In a statement, Deputy Chief Matt Palmer said firefighters responded to the city's downtown area after receiving a report of a vehicle submerged in the river. (To sign up for Stamford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

"Due to the nature of this incident, a technical rescue response, including the fire department dive team, arrived on the scene in less than three minutes," Palmer said in a statement.

According to Palmer, firefighters determined the driver hit a stone wall along Tresser Boulevard. The vehicle then proceeded down an embankment and landed in the middle of the river, Palmer said.

When firefighters arrived at the water, bystanders were already assisting the driver out of the vehicle, Palmer said. Firefighters and EMS personnel then determined there were no other occupants of the vehicle and provided medical assistance to the driver.

The driver received minor injuries and was transported to a hospital for further evaluation, Palmer said.

Fire personnel helped a towing company remove the vehicle from the river. Stamford police are investigating the cause of the crash, Palmer said.