UPDATE: Police release names of 2 people killed in crash

NEW BRUNSWICK -- Two people were killed early Monday after their vehicle plunged into the Raritan River, according to two officials at the scene.

Around 1:45 a.m., roughly 20 police and emergency vehicles were at the scene with dozens of police and rescue personnel down a grassy hill by the water off the highway.

Around 3 a.m., a tow truck pulled the heavily damaged vehicle that had crashed into the Raritan River off Route 18 North just before the George Street exit.

An official at the scene said no other vehicles were involved in the crash.

A dive team had arrived shortly before 2 a.m. and suited up and headed down the hill toward the water.

The sounds of a chainsaw could be heard being used by rescuers.

Authorities then raised a blue tarp by the guardrail, covering the activity below.

There were roughly eight bystanders at the scene.

At one point, two men, both in tears, frantically rushed past the yellow police tape blocking a portion of the highway. Police officers ran after the men to bring them back behind the tape.

"No -- I have to see him!" one of the men in tears screamed as an officer guided him back.

No other details were made available by officials at the scene.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.