Driver rescued after vehicle goes down embankment, submerged in Lake Ontario

CARLTON – A driver was rescued late last night after a vehicle went over an embankment at Lakeside Beach State Park, the Carlton Volunteer Fire Company reported this morning.

The vehicle was located 75 feet down an embankment, upside-down and partially submerged in Lake Ontario.

Carlton firefighters, Orleans County Sheriff’s deputies and COVA were dispatched to End Road in Carlton at 1:37 a.m. for a one-vehicle motor vehicle accident with the vehicle in Lake Ontario. Deputies and Carlton firefighters arrived to see the single occupant was still in the vehicle.

Other responding units were rerouted to Lakeside Beach State Park, to perform a technical rescue operation, and the Murray/Clarendon Rope Rescue Team was requested to the scene, Carlton fire officials said.

The patient was quickly extricated from the vehicle and stabilized, while technical rescue equipment was being setup. Efforts on scene were hampered by a six-foot high chain link fence that separates Lakeside park from the private residents, and extremely muddy conditions on the embankment.

Ladders were set up to cross the fence and Carlton’s rescue equipment had to be moved into the park over the fence.

The patient was transported to the hospital by COVA with minor injuries. Carlton Fire Company was assisted on scene by COVA, Murray Joint Fire District, Orleans County Emergency Management and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.