2 Killed When Truck Goes Off Bridge, Into Charles River

Two Rhode Island residents have died after their pickup truck smashed through a guard rail and ended up completely submerged in the Charles River, fire officials told necn.

Officials say the truck went off of Charles River Dam Road heading from Boston into Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Sunday officials identified the victims as 36-year-old Brian Arcand of North Smithfield and 36-year-old Rebecca Smith of Providence.

The victims were pulled from the water alive, but were pronounced dead a short time after being taken to Massachusetts General Hospital.

Witnesses told police the truck was driving irrationally up Nashua Street around 6:30 p.m. before turning, losing control and going through the guard rail, dropping into the water, passenger side down.

A state trooper on the scene jumped in to try to help. Boston Fire, Cambridge Fire, Boston EMS and Massachusetts State Police all assisted in rescuing the victims.

Boston Fire officials say when they arrived, they were able to break the driver's side window, pull the man out, then free the woman from the passenger seat.

Fire officials say the rescue was quick because there were so many witnesses.

Several roads in the area were closed after the crash.

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