Man dies from injuries after rescue from vehicle submerged in Indian River

CANAAN — A man died after being rescued from the Indian River off Route 4 near Lafortune Road in Canaan early Friday morning, according to news releases from the Canaan Fire and Police departments.

After responding to an 11:40 p.m. call, Canaan Fire, Canaan EMS and Canaan police determined there was a vehicle in the river, rolled onto its side, authorities said.

At 12:04 a.m., Canaan firefighters located 42-year-old Keith Hawxhurst, of Canaan, in the submerged Ram pickup truck. He was removed using a basket stretcher and taken by ambulance to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, where he eventually died.

Canaan officials called in the Enfield Fire Department, Enfield FAST Squad, Lebanon Fire Department, Hanover Fire Department and Hartford Fire Department to assist with the water rescue.

Firefighters also deployed absorbent booms downstream to contain fuel leaking from the truck, and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services is expected to assist in cleaning up spilled gasoline in the river and on the road.

The crash is under investigation, but officials said excessive speed was likely a factor. Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Joseph Leva at 603-523-7400 or jleva@canaanpolice.com.

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