Investigation begins after three bodies found in submerged car in Robeson County

The Robeson County Sheriff's Office is investigating after the bodies of three people were found in a submerged car in what officials are calling a traffic accident.

Sheriff’s criminal investigators began the investigation after the vehicle was found Tuesday afternoon in Maxton Pond off Maxton Pond Road in Maxton. A 911 call alerted officials to a vehicle in the water, according to NBC affiliate WMBF.

Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins posted on Facebook that the identities of the three have not been released pending notification of next of kin.

The NC Highway Patrol is leading the investigation.