Third Child Dies After Van Rolls Into Connecticut Pond

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – A third child who was riding in a van that rolled into a pond in a Bridgeport park on Wednesday died Thursday, a hospital spokesman said.

Jayden Wilson, 6, died just before 2 p.m. at Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital, spokesman Mark D'Antonio said.

He was the nephew of Michelle McIntosh, 39, who was killed in the accident along with her son, 2-year-old David McIntosh, and 3-year-old family friend Julia Boyd.

McIntosh, who was driving the van, stopped and got out to talk with friends following her in another car about where to set up their holiday picnic at Beardsley Park in Bridgeport on Wednesday morning, police said.

She chased the van as it started to roll and was dragged for a short distance, losing her shoes as she climbed in and tried to stop the vehicle, police said.

It rolled 60 or 70 yards down a steep hill and into a pond, where it was submerged in 15 to 20 feet of water for up to 25 minutes.

"All of the evidence we have at this point definitely points to it as an unfortunate, horrible accident," Bridgeport police Capt. Lynn Kerwin said.

McIntosh died along with her 2-year-old son, David McIntosh, and 3-year-old Julia Boyd.

"I'm numb," McIntosh's husband, David, told The Associated Press on Thursday. "It's like I'm still waiting for them to come back."

Mechanics were evaluating the van Thursday to determine whether it was in gear, whether the emergency brake was activated and other factors, police said.

The Bridgeport police scuba team pulled the victims out and rescuers tried to revive them before they were taken to hospitals.

"It's a real tragedy for a family in Bridgeport," Mayor John Fabrizi said. "A day of sorrow for all Bridgeporters."

Fire Battalion Chief Ismael Pomales said people nearby tried unsuccessfully to stop the van, and that fire personnel were not able to reach those trapped inside.

"It's horrible," Pomales said. "We've had children die before. That's probably one of the toughest things for any rescue person to deal with."

Blanch Arpie, a neighbor, called the McIntoshes a close-knit family.

"It's breaking my heart," Arpie said. It's just horrible."