Legendary Sunken SUV Pulled from River After 20 Years at Ft. Hamer Boat Ramp

After two decades submerged beneath the waters of the Manatee River, the long-lost Suburban at the Ft. Hamer Boat Ramp was finally lifted on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Dive Team during a training exercise.

The SUV, buried in sand and sediment for at least 20 years, had resisted numerous attempts at removal over the years due to its weight and condition. This time, however, the Dive Team succeeded — a feat possibly made easier by shifting sediment caused by recent hurricanes, which may have loosened the vehicle’s grip on the riverbed.

The recovery drew a crowd of curious onlookers who gathered to witness the long-rumored vehicle's emergence from the depths. Dive Team members managed to raise the SUV and tow it from the water, marking the end of a longstanding local mystery.

The Suburban’s removal was part of a scheduled training session for the Dive Team, who recently competed in and won the First Responders Dive Team Challenge. Whether it was improved skill, reduced sediment, or a boost of determination, the team accomplished what had eluded them for years — bringing the "legendary beast of Ft. Hamer" to the surface.