A 76-year-old Syosset man died after his car plunged into a river in Connecticut and a woman in the vehicle was nearly swept away over the weekend.
Richard Lamendola drove his car off of a Saugatuck River boat launch on Elaine Road in Westport at 7:40 p.m. Saturday, Westport police said.
Patrons at the nearby Whelk Restaurant heard a woman screaming for help and called 911.
Responding officer found a woman struggling in the river while being swept away by the current, police said. Firefighters boarded a civilian boat and rescued the woman.
The woman, who was taken to Norwalk Hospital for treatment, told police that she was in a vehicle that ended up in the water and believed the driver may still be in the water, authorities said. Shortly later, officers found the man up the river. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police are continuing the investigation but do not suspect foul play.
