VANCOUVER - The man behind the wheel of a car that plunged into False Creek Monday night was an elderly visitor from Germany, according to 91原创 police.
The 81-year-old is visiting family in 91原创, and became lost and disoriented in the rainy weather on his way downtown. With his dog beside him in the vehicle, he drove down a boat launch ramp in Vanier Park and into the water around 8:30 p.m.
By the time police arrived, only the back end of the car could be seen above the surface. Officers swam out and smashed the rear window to allow the dog to escape.
By the time police were able to pull the driver through the broken window, the vehicle was already fully submerged.
The driver was taken to hospital and his dog was rushed to an emergency veterinary clinic. Both have since been released and are said to be recovering.
The five officers who were involved in the rescue were all treated by paramedics at the scene and then sent back to headquarters to warm up. While they lost some personal items during the unexpected swim, they were not injured.
