Rochester firefighter significantly injured while attempting to pull a car out of the Genesee River

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — A Rochester firefighter is recovering from what’s being called a significant injury.

It happened while crews were attempting to pull a car out of the Genesee River.

Crews were called to the Charlotte Boat Launch around 8:00 p.m. Friday night.

There they found a car in the river with a woman reporting two people trapped inside.

Crews say this call occurred during driving rain storms, which greatly complicated the rescue operation, and made it appear that someone has simply driven into the river.

The car was towed out of the water but no one was found.

Crews checked the river itself and didn’t find any evidence that someone was in the water.

That injured firefighter is in the hospital but will survive.

Rochester Police say the investigation revealed that the car was being operated by a 31-year-old female with a 42-year-old male passenger. Both were not injured.

Police say the woman was looking for a parking lot and accidentally turned into and drove down a boat ramp and into the water.

Weather and visibility played a role and both occupants had left the car to seek help and were located at a gas station.

The investigation is still being conducted and traffic tickets and additional offenses may be coming.