Rescue boats and divers searched the Los Angeles River on Thursday for other possible victims after a woman drove her SUV off a Long Beach bridge, crashing through a guardrail and into the murky water below.
The SUV smashed through the guardrail of the 7th Street bridge about 7:30 a.m., sinking 15 to 17 feet into the river.
A woman thought to be in her 20s was pulled from the submerged vehicle and rushed to St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, said Long Beach Fire Battalion Chief Frank Hayes.
Her condition was unknown. Officials had said three people were pulled from the river, but it turned out to be only one.
Authorities contacted the SUV’s owner, described as the woman’s relative, who indicated she was probably the vehicle’s only occupant, Hayes said.
At least 10 divers had been in and out of the river, searching for any possible passengers.
“It is zero visibility with strong currents, and silt is gathering on the vehicle even as divers search for victims,” Hayes said.
— Louis Sahagun in Long Beach
Photos: Bridge crash
Photo: Emergency personnel at the scene, where an SUV plunged off the 7th Street Bridge with three people inside. Credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times