During a news conference on Wednesday, the Nash County Sheriff's Office said a man and a woman were both swept away by the floodwater after their vehicle became submerged while attempting to cross the roadway.
The vehicle was then swept off the road and went into a nearby ditch, where the water was over 6 feet deep.
Authorities said the woman inside the vehicle then climbed onto the roof, leaving the man inside. When instructed by officers to stay where they were, police said the woman then fell off the vehicle into the water.
Spring Hope Officer, Lt. Leary, then jumped into the water to try to help the woman. At that time, police said the man inside the vehicle also jumped into the water. All three were swept away downstream.
"When I turned around and looked, I saw her partially submerged," Leary said. "This is about 25 feet away from me. I thought that I can make a difference. So I ran and dove in, try to grab her. The water was moving extremely fast. It was over my head, and I never got to her."
Water rescue teams were able to rescue Leary, but were unable to immediately find the man and woman from the vehicle.
Police said after floodwaters receded, the victims, 24-year-old Lottie Alston and 55-year-old Raymond Evans Jr, both of Louisburg, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Full Presser: Nash County Sheriff's Office water rescue efforts
ABC11 spoke with a neighbor who said they witnessed the incident. He said a van approached a flooded road and attempted to turn around, but it was too late.
"It shakes your nerves up," Spring Hope resident James Lane said. "When I saw the boats come out, I knew it was serious."
NC 581 was blocked at US 64 Alt due to the heavy flooding in the area.
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