A few minutes before 1:30 p.m. Saturday, an 87-year-old driver pressed the gas pedal instead of the brake on his truck and launched from the parking lot into the water of Heritage Harbor. The driver was helped from the truck and did not appear seriously injured, said Police Chief Tom Radke.

The chief said it was his understanding that the driver hit the wrong pedal, and a medical incident may have led to the accident, but the exact cause was uncertain Saturday afternoon.

The vehicle pushed through a barrier of boulders between the parking lot and the harbor, and tumbled down an incline into the water.

Radke said that James Nelson, of the U.S. Forest Service, and Chris Guggenbickler were nearby and able to help the driver escape the truck before it completely submerged. The man was taken to Wrangell Medical Center.

The chief said the truck would be pulled from the harbor later that afternoon.