By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times
What started as a relaxing day on the lake turned into something more on Saturday (February 28) when a local fisherman picked up more than a potential school of fish with his depth finder equipment. The equipment identified a submerged object that, the Grayson Fire Department reported, “was consistent with a submerged vehicle beneath the water’s surface.” After the report came in, the Grayson Fire Department and Grayson Fire Dive Rescue were dispatched to the Bruin Boat Ramp at Grayson Lake at approximately 9:11 am.
The response was initially treated as a rescue operation, with an incident command being set up and the situation being quickly assessed. Environmental conditions were evaluated, water depth was determined, operational hazards were assessed, and access points were established. Rescue teams followed every safety protocol in their response.
Rescue and recovery divers were deployed on the scene in approximately 10-12 feet of water that offered near zero visibility. Though hampered by these conditions, divers conducted a controlled search and made contact with what was, in fact, a submerged vehicle. According to Grayson Fire Department, they conducted “…a methodical underwater assessment—including exterior sweep and compartment checks.” After these efforts, the vehicle was determined to be unoccupied.
Carter County Sheriff Jeff May responded to the call, saying the location was right off of the Bruin Ramp. May said that part of the area was in Carter County and part was in Elliot County, and he responded to determine exactly where the reported submerged vehicle was located and if it was in his jurisdiction. Upon arrival, May determined it was in fact in Elliot County, but he offered his assistance.
“I believe it had been there for several years,” May said.
He credited the find to the new sonar equipment available to fishermen, because as the Grayson Fire Department previously stated, visibility was near zero. He also acknowledged the various agencies that worked together to investigate the abandoned vehicle.
“Grayson’s Dive Team, Fish and Wildlife, and the Kentucky State Police were all on the scene,” May noted.
Fortunately, no human remains or any signs of human remains were discovered on the scene, May said. And the condition of the vehicle would seem to suggest that it had been intentionally abandoned, perhaps as part of an illegal activity.
“All the windows were down,” he said, “and the Vehicle Identification Number plate had been removed as well as the license plate.”
May said there was no way to get to the vehicle to remove it from the lake, and authorities opted to leave it in place.
“One of the team pulled a part off the vehicle,” May said. “And they thought that the vehicle could be a 1996 Chevy Cavalier.”
Given the age of the vehicle and the estimated time of submersion, any ecological impact it might have had has since been felt. Currently it isn’t thought to pose any risk, hence one consideration in leaving it where it had submerged.
In a statement on their social media the Grayson Fire Department said, “Complex water operations demand precision, discipline, and seamless coordination. We extend our sincere appreciation to the agencies that assisted on and off scene.”
The Fire Department also gave special thanks to Carter County Emergency Management for the use of their drone.
“This incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining highly trained public safety dive personnel and strong regional partnerships. Whether operating on land or beneath the water’s surface, our mission remains constant: to protect life, preserve property, and serve our community with professionalism,” the Grayson Fire Department stated.
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
