Three people jump into Kootenay Lake to help driver who submerges vehicle

Three bystanders rescued a driver from a sinking pickup truck in Kootenay Lake on Saturday (Oct. 31), police say.

The Nelson Police Department said it received several calls around 1:18 p.m. about a pickup truck that had gone over an embankment and into the lake at the Chahko Mika Mall parking lot.

Police said three people entered the water and rescued a woman from the sinking truck.

Crews from Nelson Police, Nelson Fire Department and Emergency Health Services arrived to find the driver on dry land.

Emergency Health Services assessed the driver and released her at the scene. Western Auto Wreckers & Towing recovered the submerged truck, minimizing any environmental impact, police said.

Officers said alcohol and drugs were not factors. The cause remains under investigation.