Burlington Man Rescued After Car Plunges Into Charles River

CAMBRIDGE, MA — A two-car crash sent a car plunging into the Charles River Tuesday morning. A man was rescued from the water after the crash, but his vehicle ended up completely submerged under the water.

The crash happened just after 6:30 a.m. on Memorial Drive at the Western Avenue Bridge, Cambridge Fire Department said.

After the crash, the car slammed through the metal barrier and into the water feet below.

Deputy Fire Chief Sean White said a crew team practicing on the river was able to pull the driver on board and to safety.

The driver, a man from Burlington, was taken to an ambulance then brought to a local hospital, police said.

Firefighters and police did not know the extent of the man's injuries, but Massachusetts State Police said he did not appear to be seriously hurt.

The driver said no one else was in the car.

Drivers and commuters were told to avoid the area on Memorial Drive while Police secured the area.

The submerged car was lifted out of the water just after 7:45 a.m. by a crane.

White said the driver was lucky the safety boat with the crew team was in the area and thanked everyone for their help getting the man safely out of the water.

Massachusetts State Police are investigating the cause of the crash.