Woman rescued after driving into pond

March 5, 2011

District 5/Oktoc firefighters were dispatched to Oktoc Road south of Poorhouse Road shortly after 6 a.m. Saturday, where a car had left the roadway and entered a pond on the east side of the road, fire officials said. The driver, Mellisa Smith, was rescued by a family member, who was in another vehicle, and a neighbor, Chad Crowe. She was transported to OCH Regional Medical Center for observation. Oktoc firefighters requested a diver. Starkville firefighter Jason Edwards, also a member of the Oktoc department, responded and facilitated the vehicle's retrieval. Officials did not have the family member's name available by press time Saturday. Above, Oktoc Chief Terry Skinner, right, helps Edwards adjust his gear. At left, a tow truck, not visible, pulls the submerged vehicle out of the pond.