One Dead After Car Plunges Into Delaware River

One person was killed after they drove their car into the cold Delaware River Sunday morning.

Bristol Borough police said they were called to the waterfront near the base of Mill Street at 6:35 a.m. for a newer compact vehicle that had ended up in the water.

Witnesses said they saw the car drive to the end of Mill Street, turn, drive across the grass of Bristol Lions Park, shot over the boulders at the shoreline, and end up in the water. The water slowly overtook the vehicle and it came to rest under several feet at the base of the fishing pier attached to the wharf.

Security cameras at the King George II Inn along the waterfront captured the vehicle turning to drive across the park, striking a concrete and wood bench at the park.

One person reportedly jumped in the water to attempt to rescue the driver, but they were unable to make progress before the car sank.

The driver remained in the sunken vehicle as of 10 a.m., police said, adding they would determine if there was anyone else inside the vehicle once it had been removed.

Bristol Borough firefighters, the Croydon Fire Company, and the Burlington and Trenton fire departments from New Jersey responded to the scene. Croydon, Burlington, and Trenton firefighters used their marine units to get into the water.

Firefighters used long poles to find the location of the car in the murky water. Trenton divers ended up going down to the car and marking it with a buoy.

A large tow truck from Rob’s Automotive arrived and was expected to pull the vehicle from the river.