This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-26765295
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Washington mudslide death toll to rise 'substantially' | Washington mudslide death toll to rise 'substantially' |
(about 20 hours later) | |
The number of fatalities in a mudslide in Washington state will rise "substantially" in the next two days, authorities say. | The number of fatalities in a mudslide in Washington state will rise "substantially" in the next two days, authorities say. |
Sixteen bodies have been recovered and another nine bodies have been found but not yet retrieved. | Sixteen bodies have been recovered and another nine bodies have been found but not yet retrieved. |
Some 90 people remain missing after the 177ft (54m) wall of mud hit the town of Oso, north of Seattle. | Some 90 people remain missing after the 177ft (54m) wall of mud hit the town of Oso, north of Seattle. |
Hopes of discovering any more survivors have faded as the search entered day six on Thursday. | Hopes of discovering any more survivors have faded as the search entered day six on Thursday. |
Workers have been scouring the area for victims, using search dogs and heavy excavation equipment. | Workers have been scouring the area for victims, using search dogs and heavy excavation equipment. |
Local fire chief Travis Hots said the death toll would increase substantially within the next 24-28 hours as the medical examiner catches up with the recovery effort. | Local fire chief Travis Hots said the death toll would increase substantially within the next 24-28 hours as the medical examiner catches up with the recovery effort. |
Authorities have so far identified five victims: Christina Jefferds, 45; Stephen Neal, 55; Linda McPherson, 69; Kaylee Spillers, 5; William Welsh, 66. | |
Ms Jefferds, who the Seattle Times reports was a dental office manager, died of blunt impact injuries, says the medical examiner. | Ms Jefferds, who the Seattle Times reports was a dental office manager, died of blunt impact injuries, says the medical examiner. |
Family members have told local media that searchers also discovered the body of Ms Jefferds's four-month-old granddaughter, Sanoah Violet Huestis, whom she had been babysitting at the time of the mudslide. | |
Died together | Died together |
Nichole Webb Rivera, 39, told the BBC the search continued for her family members who have not been heard from since Saturday. | Nichole Webb Rivera, 39, told the BBC the search continued for her family members who have not been heard from since Saturday. |
Ms Rivera's daughter Delaney Webb, 20, and her fiance Alan Bejvl were visiting Ms Rivera's parents for the weekend when disaster truck. | Ms Rivera's daughter Delaney Webb, 20, and her fiance Alan Bejvl were visiting Ms Rivera's parents for the weekend when disaster truck. |
Webb and Bejvl planned to wed on 16 August at Ms Rivera's parents home on the river, Ms Rivera said. | Webb and Bejvl planned to wed on 16 August at Ms Rivera's parents home on the river, Ms Rivera said. |
Her parents, Thom and Marcy Satterlee, were married 41 years and had lived in the area for three decades. | Her parents, Thom and Marcy Satterlee, were married 41 years and had lived in the area for three decades. |
"If they could choose a way to go out, it would be like that, really fast and in the place they loved. Together," she said. | "If they could choose a way to go out, it would be like that, really fast and in the place they loved. Together," she said. |
The mudslide on Saturday destroyed about 30 houses, temporarily damming a river and leaving a square mile field of muck and debris in its wake. | The mudslide on Saturday destroyed about 30 houses, temporarily damming a river and leaving a square mile field of muck and debris in its wake. |
"This disaster is so enormous, I sometimes think even the pictures don't always do it justice," said Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, who represents the area. | "This disaster is so enormous, I sometimes think even the pictures don't always do it justice," said Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, who represents the area. |
"The number of families that have been impacted, the number of people that they've lost, the number of people who are still missing. It's truly, truly heartbreaking." | "The number of families that have been impacted, the number of people that they've lost, the number of people who are still missing. It's truly, truly heartbreaking." |
'No bodies' | 'No bodies' |
The mile debris field is pocked with deep pits of water and strewn with sharp and dangerous wreckage, including fallen trees, propane and septic tanks, destroyed vehicles and smashed timber. | The mile debris field is pocked with deep pits of water and strewn with sharp and dangerous wreckage, including fallen trees, propane and septic tanks, destroyed vehicles and smashed timber. |
Survivors were last pulled alive from the mud on Saturday. | Survivors were last pulled alive from the mud on Saturday. |
Another one of those watching the recovery effort in the hope of a miracle is Becky Bach, whose brother and wife are unaccounted for. | Another one of those watching the recovery effort in the hope of a miracle is Becky Bach, whose brother and wife are unaccounted for. |
"Realistically I honestly don't think they're going to find them alive," she said. | "Realistically I honestly don't think they're going to find them alive," she said. |
"But as a family, we're trying to figure out what to do if they find no bodies." | "But as a family, we're trying to figure out what to do if they find no bodies." |