North Port firefighters swim to save 2 women as car sinks in pond

NORTH PORT, Fla. - Two elderly women are safe after their car sank into a pond near Tamiami Trail, thanks to a fast response from firefighters and a nearby lawn crew.

North Port Fire Rescue and the North Port Police Department said the vehicle went through a fence and into a pond in the 17000 block of Tamiami Trail, and the women were trapped inside as it began to sink.

A lawn crew nearby saw what happened, called 911 right away and cut a path through the trees so firefighters could reach the water.

Station 82 and 81 B Shift crews swam through the pond to get to the car, pulling both women out just as the water reached the dashboard.

Neither woman was injured.

Responders noted there were no tire marks at the scene and the vehicle had gone underneath the fence, making it difficult to spot without a witness.

North Port Fire Rescue said the lawn crew's quick thinking made all the difference, adding that seconds truly mattered in this situation.

The department also thanked Walmart Facility Services for their support during the response.