Coast Guard, local agencies search for missing people after vehicle accident

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Coast Guard and local agencies are searching for missing people involved in an accident in which a vehicle fell into the water in the vicinity of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel’s eight mile post, Tuesday morning.

Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads Command Center received an initial report from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Police at 8:37 a.m. stating that a silver-colored SUV, which reportedly had at least two people inside, went into the water.

The Coast Guard Cutter Beluga, two 45-foot response boatcrews from Coast Guard Station Little Creek, one 25-foot response boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Cape Charles and a Coast Guard HH-60 rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., were dispatched to the scene. Crews from Virginia Marine Police and Virginia Beach Fire Department are assisting in the search. A crew from the Coast Guard’s Regional Dive Locker East is also en route to assist in the search efforts.