Teen dies after SUV plunges into Toronto river, 4 others rescued

CTV National News: Friends still in shock A teenager is dead and four of his friends are in shock after their car veered off-course, plunging into the water. Ashley Rowe has more.

A 16-year-old boy has died after a vehicle plunged into Toronto’s Don River Friday.

He and four other teenagers were in an SUV when it lost control and went through the guardrail near Lake Shore Boulevard and the Don Roadway around 5:30 p.m.

The teen was pulled from the submerged vehicle after spending nearly 30 minutes in the water. He was rushed to hospital, and later pronounced dead.

Four police officers and two firefighters went into the water to rescue the trapped teen.

The other four occupants of the SUV, all 16 years old, managed to get out of the water in time and escape serious injury.

Police said they are investigating if speed and driver experience were factors in the crash. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor.

The temperature of the water at the time of the rescue was around 5 C, police said.

A male witness told CTV Toronto that he was driving by the scene of the crash and heard screams, so he parked his car and went to help.

He said he saw people in the water and used a ladder to help them out of the river, as first responders arrived. He later lent a sweater to one of the female passengers.