5-Year-Old Girl in Critical Condition After Being Swept into Storm Drain: 'Praying for a Miracle'

NEED TO KNOW

• A 5-year-old girl is in the hospital in a critical condition after being swept into a storm drain in Sarasota, Florida

• The accident happened around 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug 24, when the break caused water flow to increase and drag the child into the drain

• A neighbor told ABC7, "We are really praying, just really devastated for the [little girl's] family, but really praying for a miracle"

A girl, 5, is in critical condition after being swept into a storm drain in Florida.

The incident occurred following a water main break on Bahia Vista Street, Sarasota, at around 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24, according to reporting from ABC 7, Fox13 News, and Tampa Bay 28.

Police told the outlets that a water main broke east of Honore Avenue near Sarasota Christian School, near to where the child had been playing, beside a culvert. The break caused water flow to increase, and the girl was pulled into the drain by the strong current. Emergency services found the girl in the drainage system about 100 yards west of where she had been dragged in, per ABC 7. She was then transported the girl to Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

“Sarasota County Fire Department responded to a rescue in the 5400 block of Bahia Vista St. The call came in around 6:14 p.m., Sunday. Aug. 24. One patient was rescued and transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital,” the Sarasota County Emergency Service said in a statement to PEOPLE.

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Sarasota County Fire Department Assistant Chief Tim Dorsey told ABC7 this was a "high-risk" rescue.

"There’s a tremendous amount of risk and danger,” he added.

Dorsey noted that the rescue crew was "quickly" able to find the girl after they planned out a search area.

He said they then “started resuscitative efforts and transported the child to a local hospital.”

"They happened to all be in station, right place, right time. They were there very quickly," Dorsey said of the firefighters, per Fox13 News.

The case is currently being investigated by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, according to Fox13 News and ABC7.

An anonymous neighbor said that the first she knew of the accident was hearing "people talking and shouting."

“I heard that one of the neighbors’ little girls was playing in the water and got swept down," she added to the outlet. “I can’t fathom what they are going through right now. We are really praying, just really devastated for the family, but really praying for a miracle.”

“My daughter is actually [a] friend of hers, and she asked if we would want to play in the water with them,” the neighbor continued. ”And they would have, if they hadn’t been going to Grandma’s. Just devastating.”

Another neighbor, Tom McGee, revealed that his doorbell camera captured the emergency responders' arrival.

"I saw the ambulance come up with a stretcher, and they went to where the water main break was, and then they all went running down the street," he told Fox13 News.

A large hole was left in the road following the incident, per the outlet, with road crews repairing the damage on Monday.

On Sunday, the Sarasota County (FL) Sheriff's Office confirmed on Facebook that part of Bahia Vista St had been reopened; however, they urged "caution when traveling near this area.”

“There is currently a road closure due to a water main break in the 5400 block of Bahia Vista St. Sarasota County Public Works is currently on site addressing the issue,” they continued. “Bahia Vista St. will be closed East and Westbound between Honore Ave. and Arcadia Ave. until further notice. Motorists are encouraged to find an alternate route.”

PEOPLE has contacted the Sarasota County (FL) Sheriff's Office for further comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

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