A car found submerged in a Florida lake presented first responders with a unique challenge after it was discovered a large alligator was lurking nearby, officials say.
The sunken vehicle was discovered by a passerby around 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 14, outside Palm City, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. Palm City is about 105 miles north of Miami.
Only the car’s roof was visible in the lake, photos show, and it wasn’t clear whether people were trapped inside.
That meant someone was going to have to go look.
“Divers entered the water, thanks to Martin County Sheriff’s Office deputies who kept watch, but had to exit due to the presence of a large alligator,” Martin County Fire Rescue reported.
“Thankfully, it was determined that the vehicle was unoccupied.”
Those deputies stood by with rifles and were prepared to shoot if necessary. Photos show the reptile lingered at the surface of the lake during the investigation.
It was initially unclear whether a motorist on S.W. Citrus Boulevard had crashed into the lake or if the car had been “dumped in the water,” the sheriff’s office says.