COLQUITT/TIFT COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - Hundreds of people die every year after being trapped in a vehicle in a body of water.

That appears to be what happened to 75-year-old Arthur Clayton, who had been missing for days until he and his truck were discovered in a Tift County pond over the weekend.

When you see your car heading for a large body of water, the easiest thing to do is panic. Captain Christopher Holloway with Americus Fire and Emergency Services encourages drivers to remain calm and brace for impact.

“Whenever you hit water, it’s almost like hitting a brick wall,” Halloway said.

Experts say the first thing you need to do is free yourself from your seatbelt, then try to escape. When a vehicle is submerged, never try to physically open the door. The water’s pressure can weigh up to 500 pounds.

Instead, roll down the windows as quickly as possible before the power button stops working.

Drivers also have the option to break the glass using a window puncher or even the prongs on the bottom of the headrest.

Remember the S.W.O.C acronym.

• Seatbelts off,
• Windows open
• Out Immediately
• Children First. 

“One of the largest problems you’re probably going to find is they’re going to start going for their cell phone. You’ve only got a short time to act. By the time you get on the phone, and you call 911 and get rescuers, you’re going to be submerged, and these people are probably going to drown,” Holloway said.

The most important thing is to stay calm, get the windows down, and get out immediately.

Officials say when the vehicle enters the water, you only have a minute to get out.

Drivers with children are reminded to remove them, starting with the oldest to the youngest.

RELATED COVERAGE:

• Body of missing Colquitt County man recovered from pond; GSP investigating
• 75-year-old man missing, sheriff’s office asks for help to find him

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