UPDATE,FRIDAY AFTERNOON: From the California Highway Patrol:

The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office has identified the victims of Wednesday’s collision and notification has been made to next of kin. The driver has been identified as 52 year old William Montgomery of Eureka. The passenger has been identified as 42 year old James Rowland of Arcata.

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PREVIOUSLY:

• Traffic Collision, Ambulance En Route at Highway 255 N Hum 1.70

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Press release from Humboldt Bay Fire:

On 8-5-2020 at 2:33 A.M. Humboldt Bay Fire was dispatched to a water rescue in Humboldt Bay at the third span of the Highway 255-Samoa Bridge. Humboldt Bay Fire units arrived on scene to find Eureka Police and California Highway Patrol Officers who had located a submerged, mid-sized sedan upside down about twenty-five feet from shore.

Humboldt Bay Fire swimmers accessed the area through thick brush and immediately deployed to the vehicle. Two unresponsive victims were pulled from the vehicle and brought to shore within six minutes of the swimmers’ deployment. The victims were transferred to fire, ems, and law personnel on shore who started life-saving measures. The victims were transported by City Ambulance to St. Joseph Hospital. Their condition is unknown at the time of this release.

Samoa Fire, Arcata Fire, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Coast Guard responded to help search the area for additional victims and to provide manpower with no additional victims being located. Please refer to the California Highway Patrol for the investigation of the accident.