Search effort suspended for car that plunged into Ohio River

NEWPORT, Ky. (AP) — Search and recovery efforts were suspended early today for a car that plunged into the Ohio River after a massive pileup on a bridge leading from Kentucky to Cincinnati.

Water rescue officials say the river's current level and strong current make it unsafe, said Campbell County Director of Emergency Management William Turner.

"The river is still supposed to rise over the next couple of days, so it's just not safe to put rescuers in," he said.

He said officials would likely reassess the situation Saturday.

Boone County Water Rescue Director Dale Appel was quoted by The Kentucky Enquirer as saying that the river's current is moving at 4 mph, eight times its normal speed.

"The river is out of control for major operations," Appel said.

Turner said officials still don't know how many people were inside the car when it toppled over the side of the bridge Tuesday.