PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – An SCI Pittsburgh guard was able to escape serious injury after a van he was driving plunged into the Ohio River Wednesday morning.

The incident happened around 5:30 a.m. and the van quickly sank to the bottom of the river.

“It was not easy. Any time a vehicle goes into the water, recovering it is a major ordeal,” Pittsburgh River Rescue Chief Richard Linn Jr. said.

According to sources, the van was being driven by an SCI Pittsburgh guard on perimeter patrol at the prison when, for unknown reasons, it flew through a wooden structure, wire fence and into the river.

“The vehicle traveled about 50 feet off the road and then another 40 feet in the water to where it was resting at a depth of about 25 feet. We transported the driver of the van with minor injuries being seen over at Allegheny General Hospital. He was able to put a hole through the windshield and climb out through that way. He was absolutely lucky. Anytime that you’re involved in an accident that involves water you’re extremely lucky,” Chief Linn Jr. said.

Investigators are looking into whether it was operator error or a mechanical problem.

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