DICKINSON, N.D. (November 4, 2009)—Classes were canceled Wednesday at Dickinson State University in North Dakota after three members of the school’s softball team were found drowned in a Jeep Cherokee that was submerged in a pond.

It appears the three died after accidentally driving into the pond Sunday night.

A search started Sunday after two friends received cryptic calls for help from the players.

Kyrstin Gemar, 22, of San Diego; Afton Williamson, 20, of Lake Elsinore, Calif.; and Ashley
Neufeld, 21, of Brandon, Manitoba were found dead Tuesday night.

Police Lt. Rod Banyai said Tuesday night that police are "still investigating" the cause of the deaths.

He said he believed the women were inside the Jeep when they called for help Sunday, but said he didn’t know whether the vehicle was underwater when the calls were made.

Tire tracks were discovered leading to the pond Tuesday.

Searchers aboard a plane flew over the pond and spotted a white object in the water, which proved to be the Jeep in which the three students bodies were found.

The jeep was submerged in about 12 feet of water in the pond, which is on a farm northwest of Dickinson.

Friends said the three left the campus Sunday night to go stargazing.

The university held a prayer service for the three Tuesday night.