A harrowing situation unfolded in St. Peters, Missouri, on Thursday morning when a three-year-old girl was rescued from a sinking vehicle that had rolled into a nearby pond. The local community’s response has been hailed as heroic, with bystanders acting quickly to save the young child.
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The incident took place around 8 a.m. local time near an apartment complex, which is situated approximately 30 miles from St. Louis. Megan Kohlhaas, the child’s mother, recounted that she had parked her GMC Yukon near the pond while she escorted her three older children to a bus stop, leaving her youngest daughter in the vehicle. “It was just a normal morning that we’re waiting for the bus and parked with all the other cars waiting,” Kohlhaas explained.
However, the situation soon escalated when police believe the child unintentionally shifted the car into gear, causing it to roll backwards into the water. The alarming turn of events was met with panic as Kohlhaas recalled her older children exclaiming, “The car! The car!”
“It was my worst nightmare come alive,” Kohlhaas shared, clearly shaken by the ordeal. As she and several others attempted to open the vehicle, they found their efforts futile. “We couldn’t open it and so I remember me and a few other people going around the car, trying to break in it,” she said.
Fortunately, quick-thinking bystanders intervened. Witnesses described how a neighbour used a hammer to smash one of the windows of the Yukon, allowing others to pull the child from the quickly submerging car. “One neighbour smashed the back window on my car and then another guy pulled her out of the car and it was just filling up with all that water,” Kohlhaas noted with appreciation.
Cottleville Fire District Battalion Chief Eric Litteken confirmed that the car had sunk into approximately eight feet of water. By the time the girl was rescued, only the top of the vehicle was visible above the surface. Despite the startling circumstances, both mother and daughter were ultimately physically unharmed, though Kohlhaas did sustain a foot injury in the chaos. Her daughter was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.
In the wake of the incident, the community’s outpouring of support did not go unnoticed. “I’m so thankful to them. They’re my daughter’s heroes,” Kohlhaas remarked, expressing her gratitude towards those who acted so courageously. Reflecting on the panic, she stated that while she felt adrenaline coursing through her, it was evident that the community was entirely focused on ensuring her daughter’s safety.
Kohlhaas’s nine-year-old daughter also shared her relief following the incident, offering heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the family. “I’d like to say thank you to everybody who helped. I was very scared for my sister,” she said, highlighting the fear that had gripped the family during the crisis.
The St. Peters Police Department confirmed that the incident is believed to be accidental in nature, and they are currently conducting an investigation through their traffic unit. The quick actions of the bystanders and emergency responders illustrate the power of community support in dire situations, providing a poignant reminder of the impact that individuals can have on one another’s lives.
As families in the area express their gratitude for the safe outcome, Kohlhaas and her children are now focused on recovery and moving forward. “We’re fine,” she reassured, emphasising the importance of community and the heroic actions that took place on that fateful morning. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of daily life and the strength that can be found when individuals come together in times of crisis.
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