A pregnant woman who allegedly drove her vehicle full of children into the ocean is now undergoing a mental health evaluation.
Video captures the intense moment when a 31-year-old South Carolina woman and her children were rescued from the ocean in Florida on Tuesday. The children, ages 3, 9, and 10, were screaming that their mother was trying to kill them, according to a witness who spoke to WESH News.
Tim Tesseneer told the station he was one of two men to first reach the minivan and rescue the mother and her kids.
"The two in the back seat was crying, with their arms out saying 'Our mommy's trying to kill us, please help,'" Tesseneer said.
Video of the events, taken by Canadian tourist Simon Besner, shows lifeguards rushing to the scene as waves crash into the vehicle, sweeping it further into the ocean.
Investigators said the mother was incoherent when they tried speaking to her, according to WFTV.
The mother and children were taken to the hospital. The mother is undergoing a mental health examination while the investigation continues. The Department of Children and Families is also looking into the case.
Previously:
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- A family from South Carolina is safe after their minivan became submerged in the Atlantic surf on Florida's Daytona Beach.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal (HTTP://BIT.LY/1CBHIYK ) 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.
Rescuers ran to the scene and got the woman and children out of the water. The family was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center for treatment. Their vehicle was towed.
Marris says authorities are investigating the incident.
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