3 bodies pulled from car submerged in RI harbor

NEWPORT, R.I. (WPRI/AP) - The bodies of three women were pulled Friday from a car at least partially submerged for hours in Newport Harbor after it plunged off a pier and landed on its roof, police said.

Newport police Capt. Fred Gonsalves told The Associated Press that the Hyundai Accent fell 6 to 10 feet into the harbor near the main building of the shipyard. The car, which had Rhode Island plates, was in 4 feet of water when it was found.

• Photos: Car found submerged in Newport harbor

Gonsalves wouldn't say if the women had been identified. He said authorities are still trying to determine what happened, though foul play was not suspected. There is also no indication that speed was a factor in the accident.

Newport police Capt. Russell Hayes told The Newport Daily News the driver apparently missed a right-hand turn.

"I'm not sure if they intended to take the turn here and missed it because it was dark and because of weather conditions," Hayes told the paper.

A dense fog advisory was in effect in Newport until 9 a.m.

"It’s a tragedy. It’s unbelievable,' said Keith Upshaw, an eyewitness.

Gonsalves said the car was discovered at around 6:30 a.m. Friday by a fuel deliveryman. He said it wasn't clear how long it had been in the water.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Ryan O'Hare told the AP earlier that it had been in the water for at least several hours.

The car was hauled from the harbor by a large crane at around 8:30 a.m.

The shipyard is open 24 hours, and a security guard is posted at the entrance at all times.

A spokeswoman for the shipyard referred all questions to police.

Stay with WPRI.com and Eyewitness News for more details on this developing story.