Sounds to me like the engine may have been flooded (fuel, not water). Most fuel injected cars have a flood clear mode with holding the gas pedal on the floor while cranking. This disables the injectors for a long enough crank to let the accumulated fuel out of the combustion chambers and enable them again once the engine starts. What caused it to be flooded is a whole other question. Leaking injectors?

 

Any updates on what the fix was for this issue?