Virginia Beach, VA – Emergency services in Virginia Beach are engaged in an ongoing effort to recover a vehicle that drove off the 14th Street pier. The incident, reported on January 27 at 6:52 A.M., prompted immediate response from the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) and the Virginia Beach Fire Department (VBFD).
Upon arrival, responders found the vehicle completely submerged. The challenging water conditions, characterized by poor visibility, hindered the deployment of divers, leading the team to employ sonar technology to locate the vehicle on the ocean floor.
The operation has transitioned into a recovery phase. On January 28, around 1:00 P.M., efforts to extract the vehicle were initiated using a salvage barge and professional divers from a private company. However, the adverse water conditions presented significant challenges, impacting the stability of the salvage barge and raising concerns for diver safety.
Due to these complications, the recovery attempt has been postponed. The VBPD, in collaboration with the contracted company, is reassessing the situation to develop a strategy for a safe and effective recovery operation.
Currently, the number and identity of the occupants in the vehicle remain unknown. The primary objectives are to safely retrieve the vehicle, ensure the occupants are reunited with their families, and preserve all evidence intact. The VBPD extends its gratitude to all assisting agencies, including the VBFD, and expresses its deepest condolences to the families of any deceased individuals.