The body of a man has been recovered from a car that went into a river yesterday afternoon in what is being described as a "tragic incident".
The remains of the man, who was in his early 60s, were found in the vehicle, which plunged into the River Lee at Kennedy Quay in Cork city at 1pm on Saturday, January 18.
Multiple agencies were involved in the recovery operation, which took several hours and saw divers from the Naval Service battle very strong currents to recover the body before the vehicle was lifted from the water by a crane, Cork Beo reports.
"Gardaí assisted by Fire Brigade, Coast Guard, Mallow Search & Rescue, Cork Search & Rescue and Navy recovered a body of a man (early 60s) at approximately 5.30p.m," said a Garda spokesperson.
"A file will be prepared for the Coroner's Court".
Crosshaven RNLI also responded to the alert and provided assistance as a specialist team from Mallow Search and rescue deployed high-tech equipment to locate the vehicle in fast moving, murky waters.
"Once on the scene, MSAR deployed our side-scan sonar and located the missing vehicle. The Naval Service divers also attended and recovered the missing person from the water," said a spokesperson for Mallow Search and Rescue.
"RIP and condolences to his family and friends."
Early on the in the search the Rescue 117 helicopter was sent to area as the emergency services held out hope that the occupant of the car could be pulled alive from the river.
The scores of first responders who carried out a textbook search, locate and recovery operation were stood down shortly before darkness.
