Environmental Conditions were right for the search and removal of a truck that entered Kalum Lake in 2009.  Ice was off the lake, the water level is low and the visibility is the best it is going to get.  The team had a precise location of where the vehicle entered the water but did not know how far the vehicle traveled underwater. The water depth quickly drops to 50 – 100 – 150 feet; at the lakes center the water depth can reach to 450 feet deep.   The Terrace Water Rescue (TWR) used a SONAR donated last year to the team by Progressive Ventures and an underwater camera to help divers locate the vehicle.  The first dive to 72 feet did not locate a vehicle and the divers began to worry that the truck was deeper.  Visibility at 72 feet was about 24 inches (2 feet). On the second dive, the divers located the truck at 40 feet, visibility and conditions were better at this depth. The divers placed two a 500 lb lift bags on the vehicle, which lifted the vehicle out of the water.  The water rescue boat, towed the truck to the boat launch and Pronto Towing pulled the vehicle from the water. The truck was damaged beyond repair.

Considering the steep embankment, distance the truck traveled and the fact it entered the water, the occupants are very fortunate to have escaped without major injuries. We have seen accidents like this in the past, worse case scenario, its an extended search for a missing person or a body recovery.

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