A truck was pulled from a canal in Lehigh today on Sunshine and 1st St. A body was inside the vehicle. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Lehigh Sheriff’s deputie were called to a canal at Sunshine Blvd. and 1st. St. W. Wednesday after it was reported that a helicopter spotted a truck in the canal at about 11 a.m..

Midday, the truck was being pulled from the muddy canal by a tow truck.

It appeared to be a fatal mishap and deputies were waiting for personnel to come and remove the body at midday. The Medical Examiner Office was at the scene within two hours of discovering the vehicle to remove the body.

Authorities identified the victim as 40-year-old Timothy Lawlor of 3511 30th St., Lehigh. He was reported missing Tuesday morning by his wife. He had not returned home after leaving his job around 10 p.m., Monday night, authorities said.

A Sheriff’s Office dive team found the man dead inside the cab of the truck.

Due to the nature of the incident, a Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Investigator has been assigned to continue the investigation. The District 21 Medical Examiner will perform an autopsy.

Preliminary information indicates Lawlor suffered a seizure causing him to lose control of the truck, authorities said. They said the vehicle struck the guardrail and came to rest in the canal.

The incident slowed down traffic on Sunshine Blvd. because of several deputy cars with lights flahing. Several people were standing near the scene and several were on the bridge which goes across the canal.