Emergency crews respond to possible water rescue near Thousand Islands Bridge

THOUSAND ISLANDS, N.Y. — Emergency crews responded late Friday night to a report of an unattended vehicle on the Thousand Islands Bridge, prompting a possible water-rescue response and a request for a fireboat on the St. Lawrence River.

The incident was reported at approximately 11:43 p.m. Friday, October 23, according to emergency radio traffic. Fire and emergency medical personnel were dispatched to the Thousand Islands Bridge area after a vehicle was reported on the bridge with no occupant visible.

Radio communications indicated that a fireboat was requested to search the water beneath the bridge. At approximately 12:15 a.m. Saturday, additional radio traffic clarified the positioning of responding personnel and indicated that units were not on the bridge as initially reported.

Authorities have not confirmed whether anyone entered the water, whether a person was reported missing, or whether the search resulted in a rescue or recovery.

What is known about the response

The report involved the international bridge system linking northern New York with Ontario across the St. Lawrence River. The Thousand Islands Bridge System is operated by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, commonly known as TIBA.

The initial radio account placed responding units on the bridge. A later communication at about 12:15 a.m. corrected that positioning, indicating that the units were not on the bridge.

The circumstances surrounding the vehicle and why no occupant was visible remain unclear. The original report described the response as a possible water rescue, but the available account does not establish that anyone entered the river.

Agencies and cross-border response

Possible agencies associated with a response in the area include the Alexandria Bay Fire Department, the Clayton Volunteer Fire Department, Thousand Islands Emergency Rescue Service, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Ontario Provincial Police. Their involvement in this incident has not been confirmed.

The Ontario Provincial Police holds search-and-rescue responsibility on the Ontario side of the river. The bridge’s location and the international boundary can require coordination across agencies when an emergency involves the river or the bridge system.

The incident is separate from an October 2024 Ontario Provincial Police investigation into a fatal boat collision with an obstacle among small islands just west of the bridge.

What happens next

Questions remaining for authorities include whether anyone entered the river, which agencies responded and where the vehicle was found.

People seeking information about the bridge system can contact the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority at 315-482-2501 or info@tibridge.com. TIBA lists office hours as 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Thousand Islands Bridge connects northern New York with Ontario across the St. Lawrence River. ClickNNY will update this report as additional verified information becomes available.