For reasons that are still unknown, a minivan drove into the Bay at Marina Geen and became submerged in waters 25 feet deep Friday afternoon around 5 p.m. Several occupants of the van managed to escape, but one remained trapped inside as several guys from the nearby Golden Gate Yacht Club swam out to try to smash the glass of the vehicle's rear window as it sank. They were unable to break it completely, and the person drowned inside the vehicle.
Rescue crews then tried to locate and retrieve the minivan last night, and after finding it around 8 p.m. it had drifted from its original location in strong currents and become stuck in mud they gave up the effort and returned this morning. A private company then dove down to attach a tow line to the vehicle, and tow trucks were going to pull it out of the water.
The SFPD has not yet discussed any further details of the incident, including where and how the minivan entered the water, or the identity of the deceased.
ABC 7's coverage last night shows some cell phone video footage of the last-ditch effort to save the trapped person.
Update: The victim has been identified as 60-year-old S.F. resident Debra Crenshaw, and it appears she was driving the vehicle at the time.
[ABC 7]
[ABC 7]
[BCN/Appeal]
