Toronto police recover body, vehicle after plunge into Lake Ontario

Toronto police recovered the body of a driver and vehicle from Lake Ontario after it crashed into a guard rail, went off of a bridge and plunged into the water on Thursday.

Police responded to a call near Cherry Street and Polson Street just before 4 p.m. Thursday, after a car was seen crashing into the harbour.

Toronto Fire Platoon Chief Kevin Aucoin said a female driver was seen in the vehicle before it made impact with the water. He added the vehicle was located just before 6 p.m. but nightfall forced rescuers to suspend their recovery efforts.

Police said on Friday they have video of the incident. Officers said on Saturday a 54-year-old woman was driving the 2011 Toyota Corolla.

“We have a tentative identification of the individual that is in the vehicle. It has not yet been confirmed,” Const. Clint Stibbe told Global News. “That won’t be confirmed until the person and the vehicle is recovered.”

Police said it took around an hour for officers to locate the vehicle in the water Thursday night.

“The video does show the vehicle going northbound then veers left, or going west over the curb, through the guardrail and into the water,” Stibbe said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The video does show the vehicle going northbound then veers left, or going west over the curb, through the guardrail and into the water," Stibbe said.

The body of the female driver was recovered around 9:30 a.m. on Friday.

Authorities said a tow truck managed to pull the vehicle out of the water just before 11 a.m. A barge with a crane was also available on standby if the vehicle was stuck in the ground.

“We have a barge that is available that will come in with a crane on board which has a much higher capacity. But that decision will be made by divers as they are extracting the vehicle,” Stibbe explained.

A cyclist who jumped into the water to assist before emergency crews arrived was taken to hospital and treated for hypothermia.

Police said a second person provided assistance and are looking to speak with that individual or anyone else near the scene at the time of the incident.

VIDEO: Toronto police have located a vehicle submerged in 25 feet of water after it reportedly crashed through a guardrail on a bridge. Ashley Carter reports.

1:48 Toronto police locate car submerged in 25 feet of water after it reportedly plummets off of bridge

-Mark Carcasole contributed to this report