Monroe police find rental truck left in river

Published 6:32 pm Monday, November 28, 2011

MONROE — A rental truck ended up in the Skykomish River on Monday, and getting it out of the drink was proving to be a tricky job.

A couple of tow trucks got stuck trying to get the box truck to shore near the Lewis Street Bridge in Monroe. Two other tow trucks were brought in to get the other rigs loose early Monday evening, Monroe Police Department spokeswoman Debbie Willis said.

“It’s a big truck and a big river,” Willis said.

The truck was unoccupied by the time firefighters and police arrived, Willis said.

Water could be seen lapping up nearly to the driver-side window of the bright yellow Penske rental truck.

The initial 911 report was made around 2:15 p.m.

A dive team from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office was called to assess the situation and look for anyone who might be stuck in the truck, she said.

Rescuers determined that there was no one in the cab. Later, they found several bicycles in the back of the truck.

How the truck ended up in the river was under investigation, but someone in a gray hooded sweatshirt was seen running from the area, Willis said.

“It’s not clear the status of the truck, whether it was stolen or not,” Willis said. “We do have a witness who saw it go through the park and into the river.”

Officers hope to track down and question the person seen leaving the area after the truck ended up in the river, Willis said.

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.