East Providence Police Identify Mass. Man Who Died After Truck Drives Into Seekonk River

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — A Massachusetts man died Thursday after East Providence police say his pickup truck ended up in the Seekonk River.

Just before 5 a.m., East Providence police were called to Bold Point Park for a report of a vehicle in the water. When officers arrived, two fishermen told them they witnessed a pickup truck drive into the Seekonk River from the shoreline. Several rescue boats from Eboatsast Providence and surrounding agencies began searching the area where the truck was last seen.

After several hours, rescue crews found the truck about 50 yards from the shore in 30 feet of water. Due to extremely strong currents, search and rescue divers faced challenges while bringing the vehicle to shore.

Once the vehicle was on land, first responders and investigators from the Rhode Island Medical Examiner’s Office identified the deceased man as James Cavanaugh, 52, of Taunton, MA. Police said Cavanaugh was the only person inside the truck.

Cavanaugh’s family described him as an avid fisherman who typically fish daily.

Police said they are working to determine the cause of the crash, but they do not believe foul play was a factor.

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