A 3-year-old girl narrowly escaped tragedy after an SUV carrying her rolled into a pond in Missouri, prompting a dramatic rescue by several bystanders.
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The incident occurred near an apartment complex in St. Peters, approximately 30 miles outside St. Louis, on Thursday, November 5.
At around 8 a.m. local time, Megan Kohlhaas parked her GMC Yukon near the pond before walking her three older children to a nearby bus stop.
Her 3-year-old daughter remained inside the SUV when the situation suddenly took a terrifying turn.
Girl Rescued After SUV Rolls Into Missouri Pond
Kohlhaas recalled that it was "just a normal morning that we're waiting for the bus and parked with all the other cars waiting."
According to the St. Peters Police Department, investigators believe the young girl accidentally shifted the vehicle into gear, causing it to roll toward the pond.
"The next thing I know, the kids were screaming, 'The car! The car!'" Kohlhaas added.
"It was my worst nightmare come alive. We couldn't open it and so I remember me and a few other people going around the car, trying to break in it."
Several bystanders immediately rushed toward the SUV and desperately attempted to break its windows to reach the trapped child as water began filling the vehicle.
Bystanders Break SUV Windows to Save Trapped 3-Year-Old
Kohlhaas said her neighbor managed to smash the rear window. While another bystander pulled her daughter from the rapidly flooding SUV.
She explained that rescuers used a hammer to break the vehicle's windows and gain access to the child.
"I'm so thankful to them," Kohlhaas continued. "They're my daughter's heroes. I was just worried about her, but we're fine."
Cottleville Fire District Battalion Chief Eric Litteken confirmed that the SUV ended up submerged in approximately eight feet of water after rescuers successfully pulled the girl to safety.
Kohlhaas suffered a foot injury during the ordeal, while emergency personnel transported her daughter to a nearby hospital. Several people who helped with the rescue also sustained minor injuries.
The girl's 9-year-old sister expressed her gratitude to everyone who helped save her younger sibling.
"I'd like to say thank you to everybody who helped," she said. "I was very scared for my sister."
The St. Peters Police Department believes the incident was accidental. Although its traffic unit continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the SUV rolling into the pond.
