SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Two civilian scuba divers made a grim discovery Friday when they stumbled upon a sunken car in Lake Lorraine in Springfield and called 911.

Around 12 p.m. Friday, the Springfield Police Department responded to a report of a vehicle submerged in the lake, leading to a heavy police presence around Lorimer Street throughout the afternoon.

The police dive team went into the lake to hook the sunken car to a tow truck from CJ’s Towing when they discovered a man’s body inside the vehicle.

James Merkel, a Springfield resident who has lived in the area his entire life, witnessed the scene after coming to the lake Friday afternoon. “I grew up here all my life,” he added. “I’ve seen so much stuff around here. I’ve seen people drowned. I’ve seen everything.”

However, Merkel said he had never seen anything like this. “I have never seen a car go off Lorimer Street into the lake and a body found,” he explained.

Merkel said he comes to Lake Lorraine every day. When he arrived Friday after cashing his check, he saw police at the scene, but did not know what was happening until a neighbor told him about the discovery. “It’s horrible for the family,” he noted. “I wish it never happened.”

Despite the investigation, Merkel said he plans to keep coming back to the lake. “This is my birthplace where I grew up,” he said. “I’m going to come here.”

The Springfield Police Detective Bureau is investigating the incident as an unattended death. The identity of the person inside the car has not been released.

The Hampden District Attorney’s Office has not provided additional details about the discovery.