Car Ends Up Upside Down in a Putnam County Lake

There are plenty of ways to have your Monday morning go off the rails, but winding up upside down in a lake has to be one of the worst.

That's exactly what happened early Monday morning in Putnam County when a vehicle rolled over and ended up in Teakettle Spout Lake in Mahopac. Thankfully, what could have been a much more serious accident ended with the driver making it out of the vehicle before first responders even arrived.

Car Lands in Lake in Mahopac, NY

According to the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department, emergency crews were dispatched at approximately 6:22 a.m. on Monday, July 20, to the area of Union Valley Road and Teakettle Spout Road for a report of a one-car rollover into the lake.

Car Flips Into Lake in Mahopac, NY

When firefighters arrived alongside officers from the Carmel Police Department and members of the Carmel Volunteer Ambulance Corps, they found the vehicle overturned in the water. In what has to be the best part of this story, the driver had already managed to climb out of the vehicle on their own before emergency crews arrived.

While the driver was safely on shore, the work for first responders was just getting started.

Car Into Lake in Putnam County, NY

First Responders Jump Into Action

Firefighters suited up in cold-water rescue gear and entered the lake to place absorbent booms around the overturned vehicle. The booms were used to help contain any gasoline, oil, or other automotive fluids that may have leaked into the water during the recovery operation. Crews also worked alongside the tow truck operator, helping attach chains and cables so the vehicle could be safely pulled from Teakettle Spout Lake without causing additional environmental damage.

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The driver was transported to the hospital for a medical evaluation. Officials have not released any information about the driver's condition, and it's still unclear what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway and end up in the lake.

Emergency personnel remained on scene for approximately an hour while the vehicle was recovered and the area was cleared.

It's another great reminder of just how much work goes into incidents like this, even after everyone is safely out of danger. Thankfully, this one ended with the driver making it out alive, and thanks to the teamwork of police, EMS, firefighters, and the tow truck driver, the vehicle was safely removed from the lake with minimal impact.