Police in Port Moody, B.C., are investigating a bizarre incident involving a man who drove a car into Burrard Inlet on Monday night.
A video posted online shows a man driving into the water at the Rocky Point boat launch and exiting the vehicle before it becomes submerged.
The driver was detained at the scene and later released. Police said they are considering charges including the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and mischief.
Police said the man was paid by an online streamer to drive the car into the water.
“It’s our understanding that the man in this live-streaming video was being paid to drive his vehicle into the Burrard Inlet like some sort of stunt,” Const. Sam Zacharias with the Port Moody Police Department said.
Crews were at the boat launch early Tuesday morning to retrieve the car.
Nathan Taylor, acting general manager of community services for the City of Port Moody, said crews have been doing everything they can to reduce the impacts of the car being in the water.
“We set up containment booms in the water and staff worked to remove them slowly (Tuesday) afternoon, with the goal of removing as much oil as possible. We have contacted all necessary agencies that have responsibility for protecting Burrard Inlet’s marine environment,” he said.
Taylor added that it is unknown how much oil and other fluids have leaked from the vehicle as the car was submerged for several hours in the dark.