Elderly tourist, dog rescued after driving down Vanier Park boat launch

A disoriented elderly German tourist and his dog are recovering after accidentally driving down a boat ramp into English Bay on Monday night.

Police say the 81-year-old driver was in Vancouver visiting family, and was headed downtown when he got lost and disoriented in the parking lot of Vanier Park around 8:30 p.m. PT.

"In the darkness and poor weather, the man ended up driving down a boat launch ramp and into the bay," said a statement released by Const. Brian Montague on Tuesday morning.

About five officers arrived quickly on the scene to find only the back of the car visible.

"As the car continued to slowly sink, officers swam out and smashed the rear window allowing the dog to swim out."

"The driver remained trapped in the car, but as the car fully submerged, officers managed to pull him to safety through the smashed rear window. The mans dog was also pulled from the water by officers."

Police say the driver was taken to hospital and the dog to a local emergency animal clinic and both were released and are reportedly doing well.

The officers were checked out by paramedics and taken to the station to warm up. None was injured, but some lost some personal items in the rescue, said Montague.

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