Byesville Man Recovered from Flood Waters

Guernsey Co. – The Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office said that a 56-year-old Byesville man reported missing by his family was recovered from flood waters.

Sheriff Jeffrey Paden said that the man was reported missing after 3pm Wednesday when he didn’t arrive at work earlier in the day and hadn’t been answering his cellphone. The family members said they were concerned he may have attempted to drive through flood waters near his home in an attempt to get to work.

Deputies and Detectives went to the flooded roadway near his home on Oakwood Road in Jackson Township. They requested the Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit (ASU) be activated and respond to the scene for a larger and more extensive aerial view of the scene.

Members of the team reported that they observed a void in the current water flow in a specific area, but were unable to determine if it was a vehicle that was changing the pattern of the water current. Investigators then requested the Byesville Volunteer Fire Department respond to the scene with their boat.

Members of the Byesville VFD responded to the scene and after an extensive search, located the missing man’s vehicle, totally submerged. After several hours, the vehicle was ultimately removed from the water and the missing man was found inside the vehicle deceased.

The Guernsey County Coroner pronounced the man deceased at the scene. The death was ruled “Accidental” from drowning by the coroner.

Sheriff Paden said that this incident is a tragic reminder to all, that if you approach water over the roadway in your travels, no matter how deep the water may appear, to turn around and don’t attempt to drive through it because the strength of the water current in greater than you realize. Sheriff Paden also urges the citizen to educate the young drivers in your family of these dangers.