Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies and rescue crews pulled an elderly woman to safety after her car went into a canal in Pompano Beach on Friday morning, officials said.
The crash happened around 10:30 a.m. in the 2600 block of South Palm Aire Drive, near Palm Aire Country Club. BSO said the woman drove through a fence and into the canal beside a shopping plaza. It is not known how the car ended up in the water.
Deputies, Pompano Beach Fire Rescue and an off-duty Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue captain waded into the water and broke a window to reach her. She was the only person in the vehicle and was not hurt. One deputy suffered minor injuries during the rescue.
Witnesses said the car sank to the bottom of the canal within minutes of the rescue. Cell phone video captured the response as crews raced to reach her.
Capt. Keith Costa, who was off duty, said he went into the water immediately. He said firefighters act whether they are on or off duty.
BSO’s Dive Team was called to remove the vehicle from the canal.
