A nine-year-old boy swimming at a Vermont resort narrowly escaped death after a dark blue SUV crashed through a fence and plunged into the pool, striking him in the head and dragging him underwater beneath its tire. The child survived only because he dove underwater at the exact moment of impact, allowing the water’s surface to break the vehicle’s momentum.

Child Pulled Under by Sinking Vehicle

Joseph Sage was enjoying an afternoon swim at Smuggler’s Notch Resort on Monday, July 13, around 3:30 p.m. when disaster struck without warning. The SUV burst through the pool’s perimeter fence and careened into the water, hitting multiple swimmers on its trajectory. Sage described hearing a loud bang before the vehicle struck his head and one of its tires pulled him beneath the surface as the car sank into a three-foot-deep section of the pool.

The boy’s father immediately sprang into action, diving into the chaotic scene to rescue his son. After pulling Joseph to safety, the father returned to extract another young girl trapped by the submerged vehicle. Several lifeguards on duty assisted in evacuating other pool occupants, while one mother jumped fully clothed into the water to rescue her daughter from the dangerous situation.

Timing Saved Child’s Life

Family member Grendel Clark told reporters that Joseph’s survival hinged on split-second timing. The boy had just begun diving underwater when the SUV entered the pool, positioning him at an angle that prevented the full weight of the vehicle from crushing him. Clark stated she could not bear thinking about the outcome if Joseph’s feet had been planted on the pool floor when the tire landed on him. Despite the terrifying ordeal, Joseph sustained only minor injuries including a head scratch, finger abrasions, and side pain.

Investigation Underway at Popular Resort

Witnesses reported that authorities took the SUV driver into custody at the scene. Resort management closed the pool immediately following the incident, and it remains shut down pending investigation results. Police continue examining how the single-vehicle crash occurred at the popular family vacation destination. The incident highlights safety concerns about vehicle barriers near public swimming facilities, particularly at resorts where families with young children gather. Investigators have not released information about potential charges against the driver or what may have caused the vehicle to leave the roadway and breach the pool’s protective fencing.