HAMILTON — Two Beverly residents in their 80s were rescued by a good samaritan after their vehicle drove down the boat launch into Chebacco Lake and sank Friday morning.
Hamilton police said officers and firefighters responded to the boat launch, off Chebacco Road, at approximately 10:08 a.m. for a report of a vehicle into the water.
Crews arrived at the scene to find the two occupants of the vehicle had been pulled from the water by a man who was kayaking on the lake.
The man, who only identified himself as Al to a news photographer at the scene, said he was out on the water in his kayak, about 30-40 feet from shore, when he heard the sound of something accelerating behind him. He turned back to see the vehicle plunge into the lake.
The vehicle sank quickly, he said, but the two occupants — a man and woman — were able to exit it by themselves. Al brought his kayak alongside the vehicle, which he said appeared to be an SUV, and helped them get aboard and safely back to shore.
Police said both people were treated on scene by EMTs and the vehicle continued to drift into the lake.
They said accident is under investigation and arrangements are being made to remove the vehicle.
Assistance on scene was provided by Essex police and firefighters, the Environmental Police, Beverly Dive Team, Manchester-by-the-Sea police, and the Department of Environmental Protection.