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2 Patients Die in Sheriff’s Van Submerged by Florence’s Floodwaters 2 Patients Die in Sheriff’s Van Submerged by Florence’s Floodwaters
(about 9 hours later)
Two female patients trapped inside a sheriff’s van died in South Carolina on Tuesday evening after the van became submerged in floodwaters from Hurricane Florence, the authorities said. Two patients trapped inside a sheriff’s van died in South Carolina on Tuesday evening after the van became submerged in floodwaters from Hurricane Florence, the authorities said.
The accident happened between 5 and 6 p.m. as two deputies from the Horry County Sheriff’s Office were driving the women between health facilities along Highway 76 in the northeast part of South Carolina. The driver, one of the deputies, lost control of the van in high waters, according to Jerry Richardson, the coroner in Marion County, S.C.The accident happened between 5 and 6 p.m. as two deputies from the Horry County Sheriff’s Office were driving the women between health facilities along Highway 76 in the northeast part of South Carolina. The driver, one of the deputies, lost control of the van in high waters, according to Jerry Richardson, the coroner in Marion County, S.C.
Both deputies were able to climb out of the submerged vehicle and onto the top of the van. But according to a statement from the sheriff’s office, repeated efforts to remove the women from the back seat were unsuccessful.Both deputies were able to climb out of the submerged vehicle and onto the top of the van. But according to a statement from the sheriff’s office, repeated efforts to remove the women from the back seat were unsuccessful.
“Despite persistent and ongoing efforts, floodwater rose rapidly and the deputies were unable to open the doors to reach the individuals inside the van,” the statement read.“Despite persistent and ongoing efforts, floodwater rose rapidly and the deputies were unable to open the doors to reach the individuals inside the van,” the statement read.
A rescue team arrived at the scene, between the towns of Mullins and Nichols — about a half mile from the rising Little Pee Dee River — and took the deputies to safety.A rescue team arrived at the scene, between the towns of Mullins and Nichols — about a half mile from the rising Little Pee Dee River — and took the deputies to safety.
Mr. Richardson described the two women who died as patients who were being taken from McLeod Loris Hospital to a mental health center in Darlington, S.C. The authorities did not specify why the women were being moved.Mr. Richardson described the two women who died as patients who were being taken from McLeod Loris Hospital to a mental health center in Darlington, S.C. The authorities did not specify why the women were being moved.
As of late Tuesday night, the bodies had not been recovered or identified.As of late Tuesday night, the bodies had not been recovered or identified.
“It’s so rough over there with the high current, and dark, that we’d figured it would be safer to do the retrieval in the morning,” Mr. Richardson said.“It’s so rough over there with the high current, and dark, that we’d figured it would be safer to do the retrieval in the morning,” Mr. Richardson said.
Unrelenting rain in the Carolinas has caused rivers to overflow and spill out over roads, prompting officials to issue flash flood advisories issued across the states. The storm has been blamed for more than 30 deaths.Unrelenting rain in the Carolinas has caused rivers to overflow and spill out over roads, prompting officials to issue flash flood advisories issued across the states. The storm has been blamed for more than 30 deaths.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating the episode.The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating the episode.
“Tonight’s incident is a tragedy,” Sheriff Phillip Thompson of Horry County said in a statement. “Just like you, we have questions we want answered. We are fully cooperating with the State Law Enforcement Division to support their investigation of this event.”“Tonight’s incident is a tragedy,” Sheriff Phillip Thompson of Horry County said in a statement. “Just like you, we have questions we want answered. We are fully cooperating with the State Law Enforcement Division to support their investigation of this event.”