PRUDENCE ISLAND — One of Prudence's best known residents is in the hospital this week, recovering from an accident that nearly killed him and claimed the life of a beloved family pet.

Conservation officer John Canario was listed in intensive care at Newport Hospital this week, after he lost control of his Chevrolet pickup and drove it into the water at Prudence's T-wharf about 4:30 p.m. last Thursday, Aug. 26. Though Mr. Canario escaped from the sinking truck, a passenger was not so lucky. Wilma Flintstone, his son Dennis's six-year-old basset hound, drowned in the accident. Mr. Canario had been taking care of Wilma while the family was in New York.

Former Prudence Island conservation officer John Canario's Chevrolet pickup truck was a total loss after it ended up in the water at the T-wharf last Thursday afternoon.

"He's doing okay, but he's in intensive care," Prudence Island safety officer Mark Goulet said of Mr. Canario a day after the accident. "He's got water in his lungs."

Mr. Canario had been fishing, as he often does, at the base of the T-wharf just before dinnertime. While other fishermen walk out on the pier, he was sticking to shore, said fellow fisherman George Howland, who stopped to talk to his old friend right before the accident.

"He got a nice fluke, a keeper, which you don't see much there anymore," said Mr. Howland. "We stopped and chatted for a little while. I said goodbye, left and went home. It couldn't have been more than 10 minutes or so later that I heard the sirens."

Witnesses who spoke to police later said it appeared that the truck's accelerator stuck, sending it into the water just off the edge of the wharf. It landed in about 10 to 20 feet of water, Mr. Goulet said. Mr. Canario was able to get out of the truck and make it to shore. Wilma got out of the car too but was unable to climb out of the water and drowned.

"He's really taking it hard," said Mr. Goulet of Mr. Canario, a great animal lover. "He feels really bad about it."

Witnesses called police, who dispatched a rescue boat to pick up Mr. Canario and ferry him to the mainland. From there, an ambulance brought him to Newport Hospital.

On Friday, two divers and a crane were brought in to retrieve the blue truck from the bay. It took crews about half an hour to raise the truck, as a crowd of more than 30 people watched from the T-wharf. The truck was a total loss.

Portsmouth Police Chief Dennis Seale said Tuesday that, sad as the story is, it could have been much worse.

"What a tragedy for the dog, but what a bigger tragedy it could have been for John. We like having him around; he's been our guy out on Prudence for so long."

Wilma was well-known

Wilma Flintstone, the six-year-old basset hound that died in the accident, was once well-known herself.

The dog was featured in a Times story four years ago when her owner, Dennis Canario, bought her a custom-made cart after her rear legs inexplicably became paralyzed. Wilma, hind legs tucked into the two-wheel contraption, was a common sight around the neighborhood.

"She thinks she is still running and her tail has even started to wag," Dennis Canario said at the time. "When we walk her down the street, people are amazed."

The device apparently helped for the dog was eventually able to walk again.

By TED HAYES

thayes@eastbaynewspapers.com