DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Rescuers helped pull members of a South Carolina family from their minivan after it became submerged in the Atlantic surf on Florida’s Daytona Beach.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal reports the woman and her children — ages 3, 9, and 10 — somehow ended up in the water around 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Beach Safety Capt. Tammy Marris says the woman was already driving on the beach, where cars are allowed. It’s not clear how the vehicle ended up in the water — if there was a medical situation or if drugs or alcohol were involved.
WFTV reported that when authorities reached the woman she was incoherent.
Video of the incident shows rescuers running to the scene, battling the pounding waves as they fought to get everyone out of the van as it drifted further in the water. The family was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center for treatment. Their vehicle was towed.
Marris says authorities are investigating.
