TETLIT'ZHEH/FORT MCPHERSON - A driver who tried to cross the Peel River near Fort McPherson after the ferry had shut down for the night was able to jump out the window of his white pickup truck unharmed as the vehicle sank below the surface of soft ice.

No one else was in the truck at the time.

Fort McPherson RCMP responded to a call about the submerged truck at 2:19 a.m. Nov. 1.

"The driver was able to get out of the vehicle without injury and the matter is still under investigation," said Sgt. Chris Culhane.

Later that day a team of volunteers from Mackenzie Valley Construction helped pull the truck out of the water with a front loader. Witnesses said the operation took about two hours.

Even though the Abraham Francis ferry had ceased operation for the night, the route was still in service, scheduled to close for the season on Nov. 5 at 5 p.m.