Truck, trailer recovered from Mississippi River at Marquette
A vehicle and trailer were recovered from the Mississippi River near the Water Street boat landing in Marquette on Nov. 14. Here, Milo’s Towing staff watch as the truck exits the water. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
A vehicle and trailer were recovered from the Mississippi River near the Water Street boat landing in Marquette on Nov. 14.
According to a press release, the Mar-Mac Police Department was notified of the incident around 7:32 a.m. A preliminary investigation indicated that, during the launch of a boat, the boat separated from the attached trailer. The boat owner, who was operating a Chevrolet Silverado, opened the driver’s door during the process and fell out of the vehicle. The Silverado truck, with the trailer still attached, continued down the ramp and entered the Mississippi River.
Police said the vehicle operator sustained injuries and was transported to Crossing Rivers Health in Prairie du Chien, Wis., for medical treatment. Nearby boaters recovered the loose boat and secured it to a dock.
Mar-Mac Police requested assistance from the Dubuque Underwater Search and Rescue (USaR) Team, a collaborative unit consisting of members from the Dubuque Police Department and Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, to help recover the submerged vehicle and trailer. Milo’s Towing and Recovery, of Prairie du Chien, Wis., assisted.
“Usually standard procedure is to contact the dive team. One of the main things is because of the water temperature. It’s maybe 40 degrees or so. Water depth is probably 14 feet—somewhere around there,” explained Mar-Mac Police Chief Robert Millin. “We use the dive team to go down there with cables from the tow service, then connect to the vehicle.”
Responding agencies included the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, McGregor Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Gundersen Ambulance.
Police said the incident remains under investigation.
