Great grandfather, 93, dies after his car smashes through house and plunges into swimming pool

A great grandfather died after driving his car through the wall of his house and into the back garden swimming pool.

Police are trying to determine whether George Hartman, 93, suffered a medical emergency that caused him to drive into the pool, or whether he made a mistake while driving.

Neighbors said Mr Hartman was driving home when he accelerated while approaching his garage.

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Submerged: George Hartman died after driving his car into his swimming pool

In good spirits: Mr Hartman had been preparing to move house before the incident

The car smashed through the rear garage wall, into the dining room, out through the back wall, drove over the patio and into the water at his home in a retirement community in Sun City, in Phoenix, Arizona, on Monday night.

Rescue workers fought in vain to free Mr Hartman as his car slowly sank to the bottom of the pool. He was flown to Boswell Memorial Hospital and pronounced dead.

Black tyre marks were visible on the driveway and a gaping hole had been smashed clean through from the front of the house to the back.

The scene: Black tyre tracks are visible on the driveway and a hole has been smashed clean through the house in Sun City, Phoenix

Neighbors said Mr Hartman had been in good spirits after packing up his belongings to move into a new assisted-living complex prior to the incident.

He was very well known in the area because he coined the official slogan of the city: 'Sun City is a city of volunteers'.

Hartman had lived in the city since 1977 and was heavily involved in the civic community.

He coined the phrase in 1993 when the city's leaders were looking for a way to change its perceived snobby image.

'The idea of getting involved with volunteers was a tremendous idea that George is credited with coming up with,' said Sun City Executive Director Paul Herrmann.

'Nobody until George had actually put that title on it, and said "Hey guys, we're doing a lot of volunteer work, let's market it".'

Mr Hartman, a decorated former officer who served in World War II, leaves two dozen children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.