Town of Western, NY--Two Rome men were rescued Monday night after they attempted to drive a Jeep across the Mohawk River and were swept away by the current. Here's what Oneida County Sheriff's deputies say happened. At about 6:58 p.m. James P. Spencer, 24, of Elmer Hill Road, was driving a 2003 Jeep Wrangler in the muddy grass area on...
Town of Western, NY--Two Rome men were rescued Monday night after they attempted to drive a Jeep across the Mohawk River and were swept away by the current.
Here's what Oneida County Sheriff's deputies say happened.
At about 6:58 p.m. James P. Spencer, 24, of Elmer Hill Road, was driving a 2003 Jeep Wrangler in the muddy grass area on the bank of the Mohawk River near the bridge near Stokes Westernville Road.
Spencer drove the Jeep to the river's edge to see if he could drive the vehicle across. When he stopped the vehicle the Jeep's front end fell into the river.
The vehicle became stuck when he attempted to back it out. Spencer then decided to drive across the river to a small island.
The Jeep made it half way across when the strong current overtook the vehicle and swept it south downstream.
Spencer and his passenger Thomas J. Knudsen, 24, of North Bell Road in Rome escaped from the vehicle and swam to a nearby downed tree. They clung to the tree until members of the Westernville Fire Department helped them out of the water.
Spencer and Knudsen were not injured.
The Jeep continued downstream before coming to rest. It was submerged and only the top of the vehicle could be seen.
A team of Westernville Fire Department divers to cut short their efforts to attach ropes and cables to the vehicle to remove it from the water. Their efforts were cut short when tornado warnings forced them to exit the river.
Another attempt to remove the Jeep from the Mohawk will be made today. The investigation is continuing and charges are pending.
In addition to the fire department, deputies were assisted at the scene by the Environmental Conservation Police and New York State Police.