In what appears to have been a close call for someone, on Tuesday law enforcement officers and Inyo Mono Towing pulled a Toyota pick up truck out of the river. On Tuesday, the DWP helicopter on a routine patrol of the Owens River spotted a vehicle in the water near Bishop. Highway Patrol Officers, the Inyo Sheriff, and Inyo Search and Rescue headed out to the scene downstream from Line Street, near the popular rope swing swimming hole.

An Inyo SAR volunteer in a wetsuit was tasked with attaching the tow chain to the submerged vehicle. The Toyota was on its side about three feet under the swift current. After a few dives, the chain was attached and the Inyo Mono Towing crew fired up their truck to pull the Toyota out.

The first attempt ended with a broken chain and a disappointed diver who then had to head back into the water for a second try with a bigger chain. This time the crews were successful in pulling the water logged white Toyota pick up out of the water and up the bank.

Weeds, clams and one crawdad, were attached to the vehicle. The windshield was smashed out and the roof badly dented from rolling down the bank. The keys were still in the ignition.

What lead to the truck in the river remains under investigation, but initial reports indicate the Toyota went in on Sunday and was registered to a Bishop resident.

Discover more from Sierra Wave: Eastern Sierra News

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading