Programbo

My thoughts go out to the families of these girls. I wonder why they were unable to get out of their Jeep after it went into the water?

3 Missing North Dakota College Softball Players Found Dead
Three Dickinson State University Students Went Missing After Placing Frantic Calls for Help


By SARAH NETTER
Nov. 3, 2009

Three North Dakota college softball players who had been missing since Sunday, were found dead today, after the Jeep they were traveling in was pulled from a pond, police said.

Police said foul play was not suspected in the deaths of the three women.
Searchers told police this afternoon that they found vehicle tracks leading into a pond with oil residue floating on the surface, and a dive team discovered a vehicle in the pond approximately two hours later, Dickinson, N.D., Police Department Lt. Rodney Banyai said.

The dive team investigated and two hours later, a 1997 White Cherokee was pulled from the pond. The three Dickinson State University softball players they had been searching for were found dead in the vehicle, Banyai said.

Authorities are still investigating what caused the death of the three young women: Kyrstin Gemar, 22, Ashley Neufeld, 21 and Afton Williamson, 20.

Police said one of the women placed two phone calls to a friend shortly before midnight, asking for help.

Authorities have said the women said something about water, and the friend reported hearing "hysterical noises" before the line went dead. The friend then called 911.

Dickinson Police Lt. Dave Wallace told the AP that the calls came in less than one minute apart. But he did not say which of the women called or what exact words were used.

89Laredo

They could not open the doors because of the weight/pressure of the water. It is pretty much impossible to open the doors until the pressure inside the vehicle is equalized. The best thing to do is try to stay calm, wait for the vehicle to fill with water, then open the door and swim to safety. Every vehicle should have a spring loaded centerpunch in easy reach so you can shatter the window, allowing water to rush in so you can get out. If they would of had one of these tools, and tried not to panic, they pry would of lived. I realize its kinda hard not to panic in a situation like this though, easier said than done..

Dylan

Edit: there is an episode on Mythbusters about this also... I think it was from earlier this year..

jiffy

such a sad story!! god bless their souls.

89Laredo

x2

bigomudders

X3

winston427

It's a sobering reminder to live every day to it's fullest. Life can be taken in a second without notice. Peace be with their families in this time of loss and sorrow.

zjrog

Very sad, thoughts and prayers for the family.

Why didn't they roll their windows down? My wife is wondering this. What kind of Jeep? XJ? Wrangler?

nasonguy

My prayers go out to their families...

sluggy

wow thats awfull..
r.i.p

01LimitedXJ

thats pretty sad. i agree on keeping something within the vehicle to puncture the glass.

95Cherokee

but pressure won't keep you from rolling the window down, I guess it was elec. windows.

RenoXJ

dang thats messed up.

89cherokeelimited

One min your with your friends living life enjoying yourself next second your drowning fighting for your life... That's horrible