A Maine State Police trooper entered the Cobbosseecontee Stream in Gardiner on Sunday morning in an attempt to save the driver of a car that had crashed there.
Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss said the crash happened around 7 a.m. near the West Gardiner/Gardiner line on I-295 southbound.
Trooper Tom Bureau arrived within minutes and was told by a witness that the vehicle had gone underwater and the driver hadn’t resurfaced.
Bureau removed his duty gear and went into the water, swimming about seven feet down until he found the submerged car. He tried for several minutes to open the door but was blocked by oil in the water.
The trooper later learned the driver had already escaped and swum to a nearby home. Police said Brandon Nale, 27, of Winslow, reportedly fell asleep while driving.
His 2020 Audi sedan left the highway on the left side, went down an embankment between the guardrails, struck a sign and concrete barrier, and launched into the stream, according to Moss.
He was able to get the door open and swim away before the car sank.
Nale was taken to MaineGeneral Hospital in Augusta with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Maine State Police Dive Team helped recover the car. The left lane of I-295 southbound was closed for about an hour. Gardiner Fire & Rescue, West Gardiner Fire, the Maine Department of Transportation, and AC Towing also assisted.
