TAMPA, Fla. – The driver in a partially submerged car died in a pond, Tampa police said. A child who was also in the car was rescued.
Tampa Fire Rescue said a vehicle containing a 38-year-old woman and a 12-year-old girl was driven into a pond at Lauren Vista and K-Bar Ranch Parkway in New Tampa.
Officials said the child was pulled from the vehicle, but the driver was trapped and died on the spot.
The Tampa Police Department and the Tampa Fire Rescue assist in the rescue.
Officials say firefighters immediately entered the water in an attempt to rescue the driver.
“They worked tirelessly for several minutes until it became clear that they could not remove her until the vehicle was pulled out of the water.”
Officials say the driver was under water for nearly an hour before the car could be removed. They also said the vehicle was submerged deeper in the pond while trying to rescue the driver.
The police are now investigating.
Check out the press detained by Tampa Fire shortly after the incident:
Tampa Officials Release Update On Submerged Car In Pond (FULL PRESS CONFERENCE)