Woman rescued after vehicle goes into Schuylkill River

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - A woman was rescued after her car plunged into the Schuylkill River in Fairmount Park.

"We responded to a person in the river; car in the river," Philadelphia Police Marine Unit Sgt. Michael Komaba said.

The call came in just after 5 p.m. Tuesday that a 61-year-old woman was in the Schuylkill River inside a car after the Chrysler Sebring convertible ran off a parking lot on MLK Drive and into the water.

"Apparently, she drove into the river. I don't know any other circumstances, but she was approximately 20 yards into the river, about maybe a foot sticking out of the roof of the vehicle, sticking out of the water," Sgt. Komaba.

Three rowers spotted the vehicle in the water who are members of the Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association along Boathouse Row.

At least one reportedly jumped into the water, found no one, but upon a second try located the woman, pulled her out, and performed CPR. When medics arrived, she was rushed to Penn Presbyterian Hospital.

"She was coherent when I seen her in the rescue vehicle," Sgt. Komaba said.

The Philadelphia Police Marine Unit was called in. Two divers went into the water to ensure no one else was inside.

"We looked in vehicle for other people, but there was nobody else in the vehicle," Sgt. Komaba said.

The circumstances as to how she got into the water are still undetermined.