Police ID man who died when truck went into water off East Providence's Bold Point Park

EAST PROVIDENCE – A 52-year-old Taunton, Mass., man was identified as the person who died when a pickup truck went into the water off Bold Point Park early Thursday morning.

James Cavanaugh was described by family members as an avid fisherman who would typically fish every day, East Providence Police Lt. Michael Rapoza said in a press release Thursday night.

Rescue vessels from East Providence, the U.S. Coast Guard and several surrounding public safety agencies began searching the water off Bold Point Park Thursday morning after two fishermen told police officers they had seen a vehicle drive into the Seekonk River, Rapoza said.

After several hours, the vehicle was found about 50 yards from shore in about 30 feet of water, Rapoza said.

Divers had struggled with strong tides and currents in their efforts Thursday morning to bring the vehicle onto land, said Patricia Resende, director of communications for the city.

After the truck was pulled onto land, a man's body was taken from the vehicle, Fire Chief Steven Mastriano said. First responders and investigators from the Rhode Island Medical Examiner’s Office identified Cavanaugh, who was the vehicle's only occupant, Rapoza said.

East Providence detectives continue to investigate the circumstances of the incident; police do not believe foul play is a factor, Rapoza said.

At 4:45 a.m. Thursday, firefighters arrived at the point and were unable to see any vehicle, Mastriano said at the scene Thursday. They searched the area and awaited the arrival of boats equipped with sonar for detecting objects under water.

The sonar did not immediately pinpoint the location of the vehicle.

"It took a while," Mastriano said.

At that point, the Warwick Fire Department's dive team had arrived. Two divers were able to place a buoy to mark the location of the truck on the surface, he said, adding that the current was too swift and strong at that point in the tidal cycle to allow the divers to secure a rope to the vehicle.

During a second attempt, divers succeeded in attaching a rope.

"It's tragic," Mastriano said.

In addition to East Providence, multiple public safety agencies assisted in the effort, including those from Providence, Warwick, Bristol, Warren, the Rhode Island State Police and the U.S. Coast Guard.

With reports from Journal staff writer Mark Reynolds

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Mass. man died when truck went into water off East Providence