ESSEX — Essex police, with the help of an off-duty Peabody firefighter, rescued an elderly couple who backed their car into the Essex River near Periwinkles Restaurant on Saturday afternoon.
When Patrolmen James Romeos and David Earle arrived on the scene at 2:46 p.m. Saturday, the elderly couple were still in the car and calling for help.
Police did not identify the couple, of Westwood, but said she's 79 and he's 95.
Romeos dove into the water and began swimming to the car. Earle used a kayak that was at the Town Landing, next to the Periwinkles parking lot, to paddle out to the car. Assistant Harbormaster James Simpson and Peabody firefighter Steve Pellegrini arrived and used the harbormaster's motorboat to approach the sinking four-door vehicle.
Police said the vehicle went completely underwater and out of sight.
Romeos rescued the woman, while Pellegrini rescued the man with the help of the kayak.
Both victims were transported to Beverly Hospital by Essex Fire Department Ambulance for evaluation, according to police. They were released a short time later.
About 5 p.m., the Beverly Dive Team with the help of Tally's Towing of Gloucester removed the vehicle from the river. The incident is still under investigation by the Essex Police Department.
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