STRATFORD, CT — A 92-year-old man was pronounced dead Wednesday afternoon after his vehicle plunged into the Housatonic River at the Birdseye Street boat ramp in Stratford, prompting a multi-agency emergency response and an ongoing investigation into the cause of the incident.
The Stratford Police Department confirmed the incident occurred around 1:30 p.m., when they received multiple 911 calls reporting a vehicle entering the water near the boat launch area at the Birdseye Street Marina. Upon arrival, officers found only the vehicle’s roof visible above the surface, prompting immediate action from emergency personnel.
Members of the Stratford Fire Department and police were joined by the Fairfield Police Department’s Dive Team, which worked swiftly to access the submerged vehicle. Authorities confirmed that the elderly male driver was alone in the vehicle. Once the car was recovered from the water, he was found deceased in the driver’s seat. His identity has not been publicly released pending notification of next of kin.
The area surrounding the boat ramp was cordoned off for several hours as divers, police investigators, and rescue personnel worked to recover the vehicle and document the scene. Witnesses at the nearby marina reported seeing the car drive down the ramp at a moderate speed before entering the river, though it remains unclear whether the incident was accidental or the result of a medical emergency.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased,” Stratford Police said in a statement. “The investigation remains ongoing as we continue to review surveillance footage and await medical examiner findings.”
The Birdseye boat ramp, a popular site for fishing and boating, has seen past safety concerns raised by residents, including the need for better signage and potential barriers to prevent accidental submersion. However, officials emphasized that there is no immediate indication of foul play in this case.
Anyone who may have witnessed the event or has relevant information is asked to contact the Stratford Police Department at (203) 385-4100.
