Ferry crews rescue woman who drove off Shelter Bay ferry loading ramp

Revelstoke RCMP are looking for witnesses to an incident in which a vehicle plunged off the Shelter Bay ferry terminal ramp near Revelstoke earlier today.

First responders attended the terminal following calls of a woman pulled from Upper Arrow Lake by a ferry rescue boat crew around 12:17 this morning, Oct. 13.

Revelstoke police were told by the terminal manager crews on the Upper Arrow ferry spotted the woman in the water crying for help, and launched a rescue boat to save her.

"Further investigation revealed that the woman had driven her passenger vehicle off the end of the loading ramp," RCMP southeast district spokesperson Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, said. "Investigators believe that the woman was alone inside her Ford Fusion, which was discovered fully submerged below the ramp. The location of the motor vehicle prevented the ferry from being able to safely dock and load and unload passengers."

Police do not believe the woman was intoxicated. The 51-year-old Elk Valley woman was fully examined to ensure her physical and mental well-being.

A commercial dive team and tow company attended the scene earlier this morning to retrieve the vehicle from the lake and an investigation remains ongoing by the Revelstoke RCMP.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident who has not yet spoken to police to call Revelstoke RCMP at 250-837-5255.

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