POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — A race against the clock unfolded in a canal in Pompano Beach as a car began to submerge with an elderly woman trapped inside.

Sirens could be heard as responders rushed in.

“It was a matter of seconds before the vehicle was underwater,” said Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Capt. Kevin Costa, who was off duty at the time but responded after hearing the call.

“I heard a call come in and turned on the lights in my vehicle and followed them to the call,” Costa said.

Costa, a diver with 14 years at Fire Rescue, joined two Broward County deputies, jumping into action as the vehicle sank in the canal.

“Broke the window and we were able to get the woman out of the vehicle, swam her back to shore,” he said.

The chaotic scene unfolded around 10:30 a.m. in the 2600 block of Southwest Palm Aire Drive, according to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. Costa said the elderly driver was still buckled in as the car was going under.

“We didn’t want to risk the chance of opening the door and her not being able to get out in time,“ Costa said. ”So the best option there was to make sure that we broke the window and we had her unclip her seatbelt and then we assisted her through that open window."

Authorities said no one else was inside the vehicle.

The vehicle was eventually pulled from the water -- a situation that could have ended much differently if not for the quick actions of first responders.

“As firefighters, whether we’re on duty or off duty, we act and there’s a level of pride all of us carry,” Costa said “We want to do the right thing.”

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