Multiple vehicles, including a school bus, found submerged in the Fraser River

The Ministry of Environment has taken over recovery efforts due to potential environmental concerns.

A report of a vehicle driving into the Fraser River on April 6, 2024 led to the discovery of several stolen vehicles submerged in the water.

Coquitlam RCMP have launched an investigation into the occurrence, after getting a call just after 12:15 am on April 6, 2024 about a vehicle entering the river.

Police located the vehicle fully submerged near the boat launch with the head and tail lights on.

“As it was unknown if anyone was inside the vehicle, two Coquitlam RCMP officers entered the water but were unable to access the vehicle. Both officers were subsequently transported to hospital as a precautionary measure,” police said.

An initial visual search from the divers was only able to determine that no one was in the driver’s seat, due to poor conditions and positioning of the vehicle.

The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team attended the scene during the daylight hours. They located a stolen 2004 Mazda submerged in the Fraser River near three other submerged vehicles, including a school bus, said Media Relations Officer, Cpl. Alexa Hodgins.

The other vehicles appear to have been in the water for some time, police added. One car, a 2012 black Honda Civic was also identified as stolen.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy has assumed conduct of the vehicle recovery due to potential environmental concerns. The Canadian Coast Guard dive team will attend the location to search the stolen vehicle and assess the additional vehicles.

Cpl. Hodgins says the investigation will be a coordinated effort between the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Emergency Management, Canadian Coast Guard, City of Coquitlam, Coquitlam Towing, Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) and the RCMP.

“We will continue to work with our partners, however, should any of the vehicles be linked to a criminal investigation, Coquitlam RCMP will assume conduct of that investigation,” added Hodgins.