PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WJAR) — A sonar expert claims he could have located a vehicle involved in a fatal crash in the Seekonk River within minutes had he been permitted to assist.
Bill McIntosh, a Rhode Island resident specializing in sonar technology, observed from the riverbank as emergency responders searched for nearly a day before recovering the vehicle containing the bodies of a mother, her daughter, and her granddaughter.
Authorities did not comment on the recovery effort. McIntosh, who runs the YouTube channel “Adventures with Purpose,” rushed to the scene on Sunday to offer his services, citing previous experience in retrieving over 300 submerged vehicles.
“I just wanted to jump into action,” McIntosh said. However, Pawtucket police declined his assistance. He acknowledged the logistical challenges responders faced but expressed frustration at the lack of utilization of his specialized equipment.
During a demonstration of his capabilities on Wednesday afternoon, McIntosh successfully located multiple submerged vehicles, emphasizing that debris in the river likely hindered the search.
“Three family members, three generations is just…it's heartbreaking,” he said. McIntosh has previously offered his services to law enforcement but noted that his offers were declined due to existing trained personnel.
As he concluded his operations, McIntosh expressed his commitment to helping families of missing persons find closure, stating, “Some people don't have answers for 40 years, 50 years.”