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Fairfax County first responders formed a human chain to rescue a woman trapped by her seat belt inside a car that was sinking in a Chantilly pond on Sunday, June 28.
The responders reached the vehicle while it continued to sink. Officer Mohammed Suleiman used a sharp object to pierce the driver’s-side window and then cut the seat belt restraining the woman. The team successfully removed her from the car.
Randy Bittinger, identified in the source account as a Fairfax Police battalion chief, participated in the rescue. He credited the outcome to cooperation among the responders and their ability to act at a critical moment.
“Just so thankful that we were all able to work together. And it was truly a thing. We were at the right place at the right time,” Bittinger said.
Suleiman described the relief he felt after the woman was freed.
“It’s one of the best feelings in the world, just having that driver out, and after being there trying to get her out,” Suleiman said.
The available account does not identify the pond or provide its precise location. It also does not identify the woman, describe her condition after the rescue or explain why the car entered the water. No information about a subsequent investigation was supplied.