Fisherman finds car in Savannah River - WFXG FOX54 Augusta - Your News One Hour Earlier

Fishermen found a car submerged in the Savannah River underneath the Sandbar Ferry Bridge early Monday afternoon.

Joseph Ladun and Kane Taylor normally see beavers and turtles when they kayak on the Savannah River; but they never guessed a car was underneath the waves.

"We see a couple tires, but an entire car is definitely weird," said Ladun.

Augusta Fire and Rescue, the Department of Natural Resources and Aiken County deputies worked together to figure out why the car was in the middle of the river.

Beneath the waves, volunteer divers found the car was covered with three inches of algae. The vehicle was stripped of everything, including the license plate.

DNR officials say it does not look like the car is a threat to the waterway.

Taylor said, "We spend a good bit of time on the river and I don't want it to be a threat to it."

Deputies say the car may have been in the water before the bridge was built; but they don't have any idea how the vehicle ended up there.

"I would hope it's something as simple as a stolen car that was just dumped into the river and nothing more severe than that," said Taylor.

Aiken County deputies tell Fox54 the car is in their jurisdiction. But they don't know if they'll take the car out of the water yet; they say if they do a crane would have to operate from the bridge to lift it out of the water.

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Augusta Fire Rescue spent the afternoon in the Savannah River Monday. The call came in around 1:30pm Monday after a fisherman came across a car.

Officials tell FOX54, the car is very old and covered in algae. Officials don't suspect any foul play, but are investigating. They tell us the car may have been in the water before the Sand Bar Ferry Bridge was built.

The Aiken County Sheriff's Office and Department of Natural Resources are also helping with investigation and recovery of the car.

DNR officials say the car is not posing any kind of threat to the river.

This incident is in its early stages. We will have more information as it is received. Keep checking back here at wfxg.com and join us tonight on FOX54 News at 10pm for more.