ROSMAN, N.C. -- A mother and two children died Friday after the van they were riding in plunged into a pond near Rosman, N.C.

Master Trooper W.R. Stinson of North Carolina Highway Patrol said Brent Bigger, of Liberty, was driving a 1999 Plymouth van when it ran off Pickens Highway and into a pond.

Stinson said Bigger was able to get out of the van and get help for his family.

Fire and rescue personnel responded to the scene within minutes of the 911 call and were able to pull Patricia Bigger, 29, and her two children, 4-year-old Anthony Bigger and 7-year-old Caroline Bigger, from the vehicle.

Greenville County Coroner Kent Dill said both children were airlifted to Greenville Memorial Children's Hospital while their mother was taken to Transylvania Community Hospital.

FOX Carolina learned that all three later died from their injuries. Dill said he is awaiting lab results from an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death for the two children.

Stinson said the investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Stay with FOX Carolina and foxcarolina.com for the latest on this developing story.