Woman, child OK after car veers into Barrington Hills pond

A woman and child were rescued Saturday after their car veered into a Barrington Hills pond when she swerved to avoid hitting a deer on Palatine Road, Barrington Hills police said.

A 53-year-old grandmother and her 3-year-old granddaughter were rescued by the Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District, which responded to the emergency call about 1:30 p.m. The Barrington Hills, Inverness, Barrington and Palatine police departments also assisted.

"The vehicle was heading eastbound when the driver said she saw a deer in the road, swerved to avoid hitting the deer, and then overcompensated, sending the vehicle about 75 feet into the pond," said Barrington Hills police officer Erik Stokes, who was at the scene.

A passing motorist called 911 after seeing the accident happen on Palatine Road between Algonquin and Barrington roads, he said.

Stokes declined to provide the names of the woman and child, who were still inside the car with about one foot of water when they were rescued. They were not taken to a hospital. The deer was not hit, he said.

The black Toyota Corolla, which landed in about 3 feet of water, needed to be towed out of the pond.

Stokes said no citations were issued and police will continue to investigate the accident.