Third time's a charm: Wrecker, dive team pull vehicle out of Lake o' the Pines

LAKE O' THE PINES, TX (KLTV) - It took more than a week, but law enforcement officials, wrecker crews, and a dive team have retrieved an SUV found submerged in Lake o' the Pines.

The recovery team consisted of the Morris County Sheriff's Office, a dive team from Marion County, as well as a wrecker crew. The dive team hooked chains up to the vehicle on Friday, and the vehicle was pulled to shore.

This was the second time a team was put together to pull the vehicle out of the water. On Tuesday, the first attempt, the vehicle put up a fight and slipped off the line from the wrecker several times, our reporter at the scene said. 

RELATED: Struggle is 'reel': Wrecker making numerous attempts to pull vehicle out of Lake o' the Pines

Morris County Sheriff's Office was notified on Sunday, Aug. 12 after a private boat hit the top of the car and broke its propeller. John Campell, a former Marine,  said he was called out to help lift the vehicle out of the water after Park Rangers marked the SUV for extraction on Monday.

It appeared to be about 40 to 50 yards from shore, and Campell noted that moss was growing on it and rust formed on the back of the cab, which likely meant "it'd been there for a while."

RELATED: Authorities investigating after vehicle found submerged in Lake o' the Pines

After the vehicle was pulled from the water, authorities at the scene ran the vehicle's plates for more information. Authorities said the SUV was reported stolen out of Cass County in early July. 

The vehicle will now be turned over the Cass County Sheriff's Office to carry on the investigation.

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