Fishermen spot submerged car in Cane River; dive team recovers it

Fishermen spot submerged car in Cane River; dive team recovers it
Deputies with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office recovered a submerged vehicle from the Cane River about a quarter of a mile north of Pratt's Bridge and just south of Tommy's Grocery on Highway 494. (Source: NPSO)
By Rachael Thomas | January 7, 2021 at 3:32 PM CST - Updated January 7 at 3:32 PM

NATCHITOCHES PARISH, La. (KSLA) - Deputies with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office have recovered a vehicle submerged in Cane River that they believe may have been there for at least 20 years.

The discovery was made Wednesday, Jan. 6 near Pratt’s Bridge south of Natchitoches, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office recovered a submerged vehicle from the Cane River about a quarter of a mile north of Pratt's Bridge and just south of Tommy's Grocery on Highway 494.
Deputies with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office recovered a submerged vehicle from the Cane River about a quarter of a mile north of Pratt's Bridge and just south of Tommy's Grocery on Highway 494. (Source: NPSO)
Deputies with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office recovered a submerged vehicle from the Cane River about a quarter of a mile north of Pratt's Bridge and just south of Tommy's Grocery on Highway 494.
Deputies with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office recovered a submerged vehicle from the Cane River about a quarter of a mile north of Pratt's Bridge and just south of Tommy's Grocery on Highway 494. (Source: NPSO)

Fishermen reportedly spotted the car while out fishing the weekend prior. They contacted deputies for help.

NPSO Search & Rescue staff responded with a dive team and sonar equipment and scanned the riverbed for about two hours, they say. Initially, they weren’t able to locate the submerged car, but returned Thursday morning to search again.

Divers from multiple agencies were able to find the car within about 40 minutes, the sheriff’s office says. Criminal investigators also responded to the scene.

The sheriff’s office says the vehicle was likely submerged in the river for at least 20 years. No human remains were found, but due to the level of deterioration of the vehicle, a more thorough search will be performed in the coming days.

Deputies with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office recovered a submerged vehicle from the Cane River about a quarter of a mile north of Pratt's Bridge and just south of Tommy's Grocery on Highway 494.
Deputies with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office recovered a submerged vehicle from the Cane River about a quarter of a mile north of Pratt's Bridge and just south of Tommy's Grocery on Highway 494. (Source: NPSO)

Investigators were unable to determine the year, make, or model of the car, but did find a license plate. They’re currently working to determine the owner of the car to learn how it ended up at the bottom of the river.

The investigation is ongoing.

Deputies with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office recovered a submerged vehicle from the Cane River about a quarter of a mile north of Pratt's Bridge and just south of Tommy's Grocery on Highway 494.
Deputies with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office recovered a submerged vehicle from the Cane River about a quarter of a mile north of Pratt's Bridge and just south of Tommy's Grocery on Highway 494. (Source: NPSO)

Copyright 2021 KSLA. All rights reserved.