Is this a common practice? I read the article below and had to read it again. For the benefot of the forum readers, I highlighted the "interesting part" in red. Has anyone heard of this being done before? If so, there may be a need to add a new section to "ice diving" protocols ...
Vehicle comes out in pieces
By BECKY MARTINEZ
PAULDING, OH -- When the Allen County cold water dive team and the Lima City bomb squad came to assist the Paulding County Sheriff's Office with removing a car from the Auglaize River, quite a crowd gathered.
According to the Paulding County Sheriff's office, Craig Dobbelaere, 9954 Road 179, on Wednesday drove a vehicle onto the ice behind his residence; it broke through at about 3:30 a.m. that day.
Sgt. Scott Nolan with the Allen County dive team said the Environmental Protection Agency wanted the vehicle removed as quickly as possible. Also, "The local sheriff wanted it removed because there are a lot of snowmobilers in that area and he was afraid the car would create a harmful condition for them."
Friday was the earliest the agencies could get together. Along with the dive team, bomb squad and sheriff's office, the Oakwood Fire and EMS was there to assist. Standing on the sidelines was media including two television stations and about 35 curious watchers.
Nolan said the Lima bomb squad set off about 30 pounds of explosives on a first attempt. The second time they reset six charges around the vehicle to get the ice to break up around the car.
"The exciting part was watching the Lima Police Department blow it (the ice) up. We've done plenty of cold water training and activities. Blowing the ice around it was the neat part," said Nolan.
He continued, "The car received some damage from the explosives, but most of the damage was done when it was actually towed out. It literally ripped into pieces. The vehicle probably had four-six inches of ice inside. The doors were left open so when we pulled it out, it bent the doors all the way forward. The support column in the rear of the car broke where the chain was attached. It took the rear cargo hatch and frame, all the way to the bumper. The tow truck driver flipped it to its top ... it was completely destroyed."
According to Nolan, alcohol may have been a factor in how the vehicle got on the ice.
Four members of the bomb squad and seven members of the dive team helped at the scene.
"The Oakwood fire department had personnel there that helped with the ropes and other gear we needed. They were really helpful," said Nolan. "We were at the scene for about six hours yesterday. It was cold."
There were no injuries and from what Nolan understands, there was no evidence of fluids spilling. The EPA and the Paulding County Emergency Management Agency were both aware of the situation.
Harrow said Friday that no charges have been filed. The matter remains under investigation.
Vehicle comes out in pieces
By BECKY MARTINEZ
PAULDING, OH -- When the Allen County cold water dive team and the Lima City bomb squad came to assist the Paulding County Sheriff's Office with removing a car from the Auglaize River, quite a crowd gathered.
According to the Paulding County Sheriff's office, Craig Dobbelaere, 9954 Road 179, on Wednesday drove a vehicle onto the ice behind his residence; it broke through at about 3:30 a.m. that day.
Sgt. Scott Nolan with the Allen County dive team said the Environmental Protection Agency wanted the vehicle removed as quickly as possible. Also, "The local sheriff wanted it removed because there are a lot of snowmobilers in that area and he was afraid the car would create a harmful condition for them."
Friday was the earliest the agencies could get together. Along with the dive team, bomb squad and sheriff's office, the Oakwood Fire and EMS was there to assist. Standing on the sidelines was media including two television stations and about 35 curious watchers.
Nolan said the Lima bomb squad set off about 30 pounds of explosives on a first attempt. The second time they reset six charges around the vehicle to get the ice to break up around the car.
"The exciting part was watching the Lima Police Department blow it (the ice) up. We've done plenty of cold water training and activities. Blowing the ice around it was the neat part," said Nolan.
He continued, "The car received some damage from the explosives, but most of the damage was done when it was actually towed out. It literally ripped into pieces. The vehicle probably had four-six inches of ice inside. The doors were left open so when we pulled it out, it bent the doors all the way forward. The support column in the rear of the car broke where the chain was attached. It took the rear cargo hatch and frame, all the way to the bumper. The tow truck driver flipped it to its top ... it was completely destroyed."
According to Nolan, alcohol may have been a factor in how the vehicle got on the ice.
Four members of the bomb squad and seven members of the dive team helped at the scene.
"The Oakwood fire department had personnel there that helped with the ropes and other gear we needed. They were really helpful," said Nolan. "We were at the scene for about six hours yesterday. It was cold."
There were no injuries and from what Nolan understands, there was no evidence of fluids spilling. The EPA and the Paulding County Emergency Management Agency were both aware of the situation.
Harrow said Friday that no charges have been filed. The matter remains under investigation.
