Driver, 2 children die as van rolls into pond at park

Three people, including two children, died yesterday after their van rolled into a pond in Bridgeport, Conn., as horrified on lookers rushed to help, authorities said.

The driver reportedly had pulled over at a concession stand near Beardsley Zoo to ask for directions to a barbecue, according to Fire Battalion Chief Ismael Pomales. The driver had gotten out of the van, then noticed it was rolling away and jumped back in before it went into the water, Police Chief Bryan Norwood said.

Bystanders attempted to rescue the victims, but could not. The Bridgeport Police Scuba team pulled the three children, all under 7, and the driver from the water after they had been under for 20 to 25 minutes.

Audrey Wise of Bridgeport Hospital said two of the children died at the hospital and a third, a 6-year-old boy in critical condition, was transferred to Yale-New Haven Hospital. The driver was taken to St. Vincent's Medical Center, where she died.

The driver was identified as Michelle McIntosh of Bridgeport by the chief medical examiner's office. A spokesman said one of the dead children was David McIntosh, but his age was unavailable. The names of the other victims were not released.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.