3 dead after car goes into Anacostia River below Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge

WASHINGTON — Three people were found dead after a car was seen plunging into Anacostia River below the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge late Thursday night, according to officials.

The search for the vehicle began after DC Fire and EMS were notified by a 911 caller, just before 11 p.m., of a possible car in the river. Track marks were found showing the vehicle going into the water, leading to the search. 

A search was conducted by land, water and air with use of fireboats. Help was given in the form of the U.S. Coast Guard, the Metropolitan Police Department Harbor Division, the U.S. Park Police's Eagle helicopter and MPD's helicopter.

Within the first hour of the search, the submerged vehicle was found, according to an 11:48 p.m. tweet from DC Fire and EMS.

Authorities said that one victim was found inside the recovered car. "Sadly, this will be a recovery rather than a rescue," DC Fire and EMS said in their 12:44 a.m. update from Friday.

Divers with the DC Police continued to search the water after the discovery of the vehicle as well as the one person inside and unfortunately more victims were found. In the area around where the submerged vehicle was located, less than an hour after the initial recovery, two more victims were found dead, according to authorities. 

DC Fire and EMS remains on the scene early Friday morning to support operations.

Investigators are still working to determine how to car ended up in the water. The people found in the water have not yet been identified.

This is a developing story. We are working to confirm additional information. Stay with WUSA9 for the latest updates as they come in to our newsroom.