News Room
For Immediate Release
Bridgewater Police Service – Media Release
Date: February 21, 2023
Subject: Update on underwater recovery (FILE #2023-230321)
BRIDGEWATER, NS – Bridgewater Police Service and members of RCMP Underwater Recovery Team this afternoon recovered a body from a vehicle that plunged into the LaHave River near the former Port of Bridgewater in the community’s south end on Sunday morning.
At this point in the investigation, police are unable to provide additional information or speculate on the cause of death of the individual found inside the vehicle. The body will be turned over to the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner this evening for autopsy.
BACKGROUND
On February 19, 2023, Bridgewater Police and water rescue craft from Bridgewater Fire Department and Northfield District Fire Department responded to a call reporting that a vehicle was spotted in the process of submerging in the waters of the LaHave River near the port. At the time, it was unknown if anyone was in the vehicle. It was subsequently determined, given the nature of the incident, that specially trained underwater recovery personnel would be required to assist Bridgewater Police in retrieving the vehicle and continuing with the investigation.
ABOUT THE UNDERWATER RECOVERY TEAM
The Nova Scotia RCMP Underwater Recovery Team, supplemented by personnel from J Division based in New Brunswick, arrived on site on Tuesday, February 21, to carry out the search and proceed with investigation.
As the provincial policing agency, the Nova Scotia RCMP provides services for the planning and execution of underwater search and recovery efforts when an investigation is ongoing. There is one Underwater Recovery Team based in Nova Scotia and, as was the case today, that team may rely on inter-provincial coordination and support to plan for and safely execute dives during recovery and investigation operations, depending on staffing availability and operational priorities.
DO YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION?
If you have any information on this matter, please contact the Bridgewater Police Service main line at 902-543-2464.
