Troopers identify people trapped in sewer pond

ORLEANS, New York (WWNY) - State police have released more information on the people whose camper and tow vehicle became trapped in a sewage treatment pond behind the Orleans town barn Wednesday.

Troopers say 73-year-old Claude Coupal of Quebec was driving a Lincoln MKX with a trailer behind on Sunset Avenue around 7:30 p.m. when he ignored signs and entered a town maintenance area. Both vehicle and trailer broke through the ice when he drove over a frozen part of the sewage pond.

The vehicle and camper became submerged. Coupal, a passenger, 76-year-old Lisa Poirier, and a dog were rescued by the Orleans Fire Department and treated for hypothermia.

Neither occupant spoke English, so a Customs and Border Protection agent who spoke French was brought in to translate.

Coupal and Poirier were taken to a motel in Brockville for the night. The phone number they gave troopers is not working.

The town of Orleans removed the vehicle and camper the next day.

The investigation continued.

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