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Driver killed, 12-year-old girl rescued from partially submerged car in Tampa pond, officials say

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TAMPA, Fla. — The driver inside a partially submerged car in a pond died, Tampa police said. A child, who was also inside the car, was rescued.

Tampa Fire Rescue said a vehicle with a 38-year-old woman and a 12-year-old girl flipped into a pond at Lauren Vista and K-Bar Ranch Parkway in New Tampa.

Officials said the child was pulled out of the vehicle but the driver was trapped and died on the scene.

Tampa Police and Tampa Fire Rescue are helping with the rescue.

Officials say fire rescue personnel immediately entered the water in an attempt to rescue the driver.

"They worked tirelessly for several minutes until it became apparent that they would not be able to remove her until the vehicle was pulled out of the water."

Officials say the driver was underwater for close to an hour before the car could be removed. They also said the vehicle was submerging deeper inside the pond as they tried to rescue the driver.

Police are now investigating.

Watch the presser held by Tampa Fire soon after the incident:

Tampa officials give update on submerged car in pond (FULL PRESS CONFERENCE)