Two women were killed and three other people, including two children, were hospitalized after their car plunged into a canal off Alligator Alley in West Broward County Tuesday evening.
The crash happened around 5:30 p.m. near Mile Marker 29, about three miles west of the toll plaza. Traffic cameras showed the backup on westbound Interstate 75, also known as Alligator Alley.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the five people, who are all from North Fort Myers, were in an SUV traveling west on I-75 when the left rear tire blew out and the driver lost control.
The SUV went onto the grass shoulder, hit a barb wire fence and some small trees and bushes before it went into the canal and became submerged, officials said.
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Multiple good Samaritans entered the canal to help the people out of the canal.
The 47-year-old woman who was driving was taken to Cleveland Clinic in Weston where she was later pronounced dead. A 22-year-old woman who was a passenger was taken to Broward Health where she was also later pronounced dead.
Three other passengers - a 40-year-old woman, and a boy and a girl who are both 2 - were taken to Broward Health in serious condition.
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The names of the victims weren't released.
Further details were not available. Check back with NBC 6 for updates.
