A West Virginia driver’s day ended up not going the way they planned (unless they did plan for something disastrous to happen, who’s to say) after their SUV plunged into the waters of Cheat Lake. It wasn’t the driver’s fault of the driver so much as it was the hillside that gave way below the SUV.
Officials say the driver had pulled over to the side of the roadway to allow another vehicle to pass. While moving over to make room is something that most drivers probably do without a second thought, this particular shoulder turned out to be far less stable than anyone realized.
Fortunately, the incident didn’t escalate any further, as the driver was able to get out of the vehicle. He allegedly didn’t even have any major injuries as a result of the situation.
Honestly, considering the circumstances, that’s about as good of an outcome as anyone could have hoped for. A vehicle rolling down a steep embankment and into a body of water can quickly turn into a life-threatening situation, especially if the occupant becomes trapped inside.
The SUV Needed a Lift Out of Cheat Lake
Additional details about what happened just before the incident were not made available. But authorities implied that the driver just tried to move over to let another vehicle pass by before the ground under his vehicle gave way.
After the crash, members of the Granville Fire & Police Dive Team were called to the scene to assist with the recovery operation. The team worked alongside the West Virginia State Police and Doug’s Towing to safely remove the submerged SUV from Cheat Lake.
Photos shared by the department show dive team members and recovery crews working near the water as they prepared to retrieve the vehicle.
Things Could Have Ended Much Worse
While the driver escaped with only minor injuries, the incident served as another reminder of the unique challenges faced by emergency responders who specialize in water rescues and recoveries. Following the incident, the Granville Fire Department thanked its dive team members for their continued service to the community.
In a statement by the Granville Police Department, “We are grateful for the dedication of our Dive Team members, who continue to answer the call whenever our community and our partner agencies need assistance.”
Thankfully, this particular call ended with a positive outcome. While the SUV may have needed a tow from the bottom of Cheat Lake, the driver was able to walk away with only a few scrapes, a result that easily could have been much worse.