Floods flood homes after Florence hit the Carolinas on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, in Conway, S.C.(Photo: AP)

CONWAY, S.C. – Two people transported in an office van from a sheriff in South Carolina died Tuesday when the vehicle was flooded, the Horry County Sheriff's Office confirmed.

The vehicle, consisting of two deputies from Horry County, was carrying two inmates from Conway to Darlington and was traveling west on Highway 76 about 800 meters from the Little Pee Dee River. statement from the sheriff's office.

The two deputies "tried to clear the people transported," said the agency in its statement.

Associated Press reported that the detainees were two women.

More: Florence Suite: Floods leave people searching for food and water

"Despite persistent and persistent efforts, floodwaters have risen rapidly and MPs have not been able to open the doors to reach people inside the van," says the sheriff's office release. .

According to the statement, rescue teams on the high seas arrived and were able to save the two deputies from the top of the van.

"At the present time, recovery efforts are continuing and the transport vehicle can not be removed due to rising water and dangerous conditions," said the sheriff's office.

The two people transported were confirmed dead by the Marion County Coroner.

Thom Berry, a spokesman for the State Law Enforcement Division, said SLED agents had been sent there to investigate.

"Tonight's incident is a tragedy," said Horry County Sheriff Phillip Thompson. "Just like you, we have questions we want to answer and we are cooperating fully with the State Law Enforcement Division to support their investigation of this event."

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