SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Neighbors of a 5-year-old girl who was pulled into a storm drain Sunday evening say they are praying for a miracle as she remains in critical condition.

Authorities say the girl was playing near a culvert on Bahia Vista Street when a nearby water main broke. The break, east of Honore Avenue near Sarasota Christian School, caused water flow to increase. The girl was pulled into the drain by the strong current.

Firefighters found the child in the drainage system about 100 yards west on Bahia Vista Street.

The girl was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

Sarasota County Fire Department Assistant Chief Tim Dorsey told ABC7 this was not an ordinary rescue. “It’s a low-frequency, high-risk event,” he said. “There’s a tremendous amount of risk and danger.”

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