INDIANAPOLIS — A father died and his young daughter was critically injured after a car went into a Castleton-area pond.

Anthony Burgess Jr., 24, died at 11:33 p.m. Sunday, Indianapolis Fire Department Battalion Chief Rita Reith said.

Burgess’ 3-year-old daughter was in critical condition at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health, Reith said.

Witnesses told the Indianapolis Fire Department that the man and his child were in a car parked at the Riverbend Apartments, 8749 Fluvia Terrace, when the man got out to speak to a friend shortly before 5 p.m.

The child reportedly tried to follow, and her dad told her to get back in the car. It is believed that when the girl climbed back into the car she accidentally hit the gearshift and the car began to roll backward toward the retention pond, according to IFD.

The father and his friend turned to see the car rolling into the pond and jumped into the water, despite neither being able to swim. The father reached the car, which was not yet submerged, and grabbed his daughter out of the car just as it sank, witnesses said. His friend was forced to retreat to the shore because of the frigid water temperatures.

On the other side of the pond, another bystander saw the man and child on the surface of the water and jumped in to help. The bystander was able to grab the girl from the dad and bring her back to shore. He laid her on the edge of the bank and returned to help the father, who had disappeared below the surface. The bystander was unable to reach him and returned to the shore.

IFD divers were in the water by 5:03 p.m. and located the father about 20 feet below the surface. Emergency personnel were able to restore his pulse at 5:31 p.m. and transported him to St. Vincent Hospital, where he was listed in extremely critical condition.

“Despite his inability to swim, he bravely entered the water and saved his daughter,” said IFD spokeswoman Rita Reith in a statement.

His daughter was alert but was suffering from hypothermia and transported to Riley Hospital for Children.

The vehicle was located 25 feet down and 50 feet out from shore. Divers will attempt to retrieve it Monday.