Connecticut man drives his Tesla through a fence and into a public pool – he says he was trying to park it

A man drove a Tesla through a fence and into the Steve Benko Pool at Waveny in New Canaan, Connecticut, according to officials reported by the New Canaanite. No one was hurt, and no one was in the town-owned pool at the time, as officials on the scene reportedly confirmed about two hours after the incident.

The man who drove the Tesla into the pool told officials that he had been trying to park the car when it happened. The vehicle “accelerated through the pool perimeter fence and into the pool” shortly after 10:30 a.m., according to the New Canaan Police Department.

It was not immediately clear what caused the crash, as officials directing traffic around the pool parking lot reportedly had no information at the time, and the New Canaan Police Department’s public information officer was said to be not immediately available.

It took a whole team to get the driver out of the water

The police department said in a press release that the pool was closed when the crash happened. “The pool was closed at the time, there was no one in the pool and there were no injuries as a result of this incident,” the release said.

It added that “Multiple lifeguards and first arriving officers entered the pool to assist the male driver out of the vehicle. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle. The operator reported that he was not injured as a result of the accident but was transported to the hospital by New Canaan EMS for evaluation.” 

New Canaan Fire Department Interim Chief William Perritt said in a separate press release that lifeguards and town pool staff were on the scene and acted quickly. “A New Canaan lifeguard immediately sprang into action, diving into the pool and making contact with the driver,” Perritt said.

He also said, “New Canaan Police units arrived on scene and multiple officers also entered the water. Working as a team, the New Canaan lifeguard and police officers broke a window, opened the door, removing the driver on a backboard.” 

The Stamford Fire Department’s Rescue 1 and dive team responded to the scene to work alongside the New Canaan responders. Fire department command staff “met and devised a vehicle removal plan utilizing a rotator tow truck,” Perritt said in the release. Other drivers have described tense moments with the technology, including one who narrowly avoided driving into a lake.

Perritt also described the steps taken because the vehicle was electric. “Command consulted with HazMat guides and ensured that there were no additional hazards due to an electric vehicle in the water,” he said.

He added, “New Canaan and Stamford F.D. members then entered the water in water rescue suits attaching slings to the vehicle to allow for it to be removed from the pool. Stamford F.D. Rescue Divers were on standby during the removal as a Rapid Intervention Team. The vehicle was removed by a tow company and placed on a flatbed tow truck.”

Perritt also said crews prepared for a possible fire as the car was lifted out. “While the vehicle was removed and being placed on the flat bed tow truck, New Canaan F.D. Engine 7 stood by with a hose line in the event the battery was damaged and a thermal runaway of the battery ensued causing a vehicle fire. The vehicle was removed from the property without further incident.”

Perritt called the incident “unusual and challenging” and commended the “numerous agencies” that worked together. “From the lifeguard who immediately jumped into action, to the police officers who entered the water, firefighters who assessed the driver while stabilizing the scene, to EMS who treated and transported the driver, all first responders operated professionally and safely,” he said.

He continued: “A special thanks to the skillful work of the tow truck operators who integrated into the operation seamlessly. We are grateful that there were no serious injuries today. This is a reminder of the complex and dynamic events that first responders may encounter each day.” Tesla owners have raised other concerns about the cars too, like when a woman said the car was recording her.