Authorities have found two vehicles submerged in the Minnesota River, Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt announced Tuesday afternoon.

Deputies were called to the Lyndale Boat Launch Sunday evening after bystanders saw a car drive into the river.

The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Water Patrol Deputies said that first responders were able to recover the vehicle Tuesday around 10:45 a.m. and found a deceased person inside. The vehicle was found in 24 feet of water.

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While searching for the vehicle, first responders found a second vehicle using sonar. Authorities said that around 2:45 p.m., the second vehicle was pulled out of the water.

Officials said it appeared the second vehicle had been in the river for some time and that they believe the incidents are unrelated.

Authorities did not release the make or model of either vehicle.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death of the person found in the first vehicle, and investigators are looking into the circumstances surrounding the death, Witt said.

“Right now, the waters are dangerous,” she added. “We have very high amounts of water, as well as the currents, which are very fast. That is part of the reason it took us so long to get to the vehicle.”

Because of the dangerous water conditions, help from a private company, J.F. Brennan, was called in. With their expertise and specialized equipment, divers were able to locate and attach lines to the vehicles in order to pull them out. 

“[We’re] kind of like a kite in the wind down there and just kind of blown wherever,” Jacob Schultz, the supervising diver with J.F. Brennan, said about the strong underwater currents. 

Crew from J.F. Brennan diving in the Minnesota River, helping first responders pull two sunken vehicles 

Photo: J.F. Brennan

Schultz said local first responders played a big role in the recovery efforts as well but adds their skill helps make recovery efforts as safe as possible.  

“We are more capable. We have supplied air lines [for] our divers to be able to do it safely and efficiently,” Schultz said.