Vehicle submerged in Seekonk River recovered with grandmother, mother, 2-year-old daughter inside

The Pawtucket Police Department issued an update Monday afternoon it what appears to be a terrible accident.

According to police, on Monday at approximately 8:30 a.m., Pawtucket Police Major Crime Unit, in conjunction with Pawtucket Fire Department and Rhode Island State Police Dive Team, resumed the search for a vehicle that had submerged in the water in the area of 100 Taft St. near the boat ramp.

After several hours of searching, the vehicle was located in the water with three female victims inside. The victims are only being identified as a 45-year-old female, 22-year-old female and 2-year-old female.

A GoFundMe fundraiser states that a mother, daughter and the daughter’s 2-year-old child were in the vehicle.

Members of the Rhode Island State Police Dive Team successfully secured the vehicle. With the assistance from Sterry Street Towing, the vehicle was removed from the water and transported to shore. The victims were subsequently recovered and transferred to the Rhode Island Office of the State Medical Examiners for further evaluation.

At this time, investigators believe this to be a tragic accident. There are no indications of foul
play, and preliminary findings suggest the vehicle was in proper working order.

The Pawtucket Police Department extended its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this tragedy.

“On behalf of the City of Pawtucket, I extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this heartbreaking tragedy,” said Mayor Donald R. Grebien, City of Pawtucket.
“Our community mourns alongside them, and we want them to know they are not alone during
this unimaginable time. I also want to thank the Pawtucket Police Department, Pawtucket Fire
Department, Rhode Island State Police, and all of our local, state, and regional partners for their extraordinary professionalism, compassion, and unwavering commitment throughout the search, rescue, and recovery efforts. This has been an incredibly difficult year for our community, but time and again, Pawtucket has shown that our strength lies in standing together. We will stand with this family in the days and weeks ahead, offering our support however we can, and we ask everyone to keep them, our first responders, and all those affected by this tragedy in their thoughts while respecting the family’s privacy.”

The department also expressed its sincere appreciation to all responding agencies and personnel who assisted at the scene throughout the incident. Their professionalism, dedications and coordinated efforts were invaluable.

“This has been an incredibly difficult incident for everyone involved,” said Pawtucket Public Safety Director and Police Chief Tina Goncalves. “From the moment we received the call, our officers worked alongside the Pawtucket Fire Department, Rhode Island State Police, and our local and regional partners in a coordinated search, rescue and recovery effort. I am deeply grateful to every first responder who gave their time, expertise, and compassion throughout this operation. Our thoughts remain with the family as they navigate this devastating loss, and we ask the community to continue to keep them in their thoughts during this difficult time.”