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53 Years Underwater: Sunken Car Partially Pulled from River
17 Aug
Summary
- A car submerged for 53 years was partially removed from the River Lagan.
- The rusted vehicle had deteriorated significantly, becoming less than half its original structure.
- Responsibility for removing the decades-old submerged car caused agency frustration.
A vehicle that lay submerged in the River Lagan for 53 years has recently seen its upper portion removed. The rusted car had deteriorated to less than half of its original structure, with much of the remaining material embedded in the riverbed.
The Community Rescue Service undertook a four-hour operation to extract the visible debris near Lisburn. This effort involved accessing the riverbank and utilizing specialized equipment to safely recover the fragmented vehicle.
Officials expressed frustration regarding the ambiguous agency responsibility for removing the decades-old car. The Department for Infrastructure confirmed its presence but stated it posed no significant flood risk, while environmental concerns were raised about pollution and habitat impact.
Further removal of debris may occur when river conditions permit. The Community Rescue Service plans to reassess the site in coordination with local authorities for any remaining visible remains.
