Firefighters pulled off a dramatic rescue Wednesday after an SUV carrying an elderly couple ended up nearly fully submerged in a pond off Brucewood Road.
The single-vehicle crash happened just before noon near the entrance to Kohl’s. According to authorities, a Chevrolet Tahoe was attempting to turn left onto Brucewood Road from the parking lot when it swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle. The SUV careened off the road, down a steep embankment, and into the water.
Southern Pines Fire Chief Mike Cameron said the male driver managed to climb out the driver’s window and stand on the door frame, but the female passenger was trapped inside as the vehicle filled with water. She was able to crawl into the back seat and keep her head just above the surface until rescuers arrived.
Firefighters suited both occupants with life jackets before removing the woman from the back seat and then assisting the driver to safety. Paramedics evaluated the couple at the scene.
The southbound lanes of Brucewood Road were temporarily closed as emergency crews worked the scene and the vehicle was recovered from the pond.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash.
