VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A Volusia County woman who was found in a partially submerged SUV has died, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said.
Police said she had died around 5:30 p.m. Friday after being transported to the hospital in critical condition following the rescue.
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Investigators said at about 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, the Toyota Highlander was traveling east on Maytown Road. It is still unclear how the driver lost control and veered off the road, which caused her to hit a tree and overturn into the water.
Volusia County first responders led the dramatic rescue and freed the woman trapped inside the partially submerged vehicle.
Volusia County Deputy Doug Meyer was one of the first to the scene.
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“It was instinct, it was the first thing I could do to get in the water and do something to help,” Meyer said.
As firefighters and paramedics arrived, they found the SUV laying on its side in a ditch.
The driver’s side was filled with about 3 feet of water, and the woman behind the wheel was unconscious.
“Seconds matter, so you need to make quick decisions, (and) don’t hesitate, said firefighter Nick Corrente. “So, that’s what we did.”
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In a life-saving team effort, the group of first responders and witnesses worked together to push the vehicle upright and pull the driver out.
“Luckily we had a great team of civilians, sheriff’s office and firefighters all working together on this one,” said Volusia County firefighter Robert Hamel.
The driver had a pulse and was rushed to the hospital.
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“Their training immediately kicked in, so I got to give these guys kudos for what they did,” said Volusia County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Chris Davis. “It’s just this heroic effort to just do what they did.”
Florida Highway Patrol is still investigating the crash.
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