Man drowns in Hanna flooding
Last Updated on 12/1/2008
Published on 9/7/2008
By Scott Harper
sharper@gtowntimes.com
The death of an Andrews man is being blamed on floodwaters caused by Tropical Storm Hanna.
Chad Ward, 20, of Farr Avenue, was driving on U.S. Highway 521 at about 3 a.m. Saturday -- during the height of the storm -- when, for some reason, his truck left the roadway, struck a telephone pole and landed in a ditch.
It is the only known death in the United States caused by the storm.
When emergency officials arrived, they searched but did not find anyone on the scene. Family and friends got worried when Ward had not been heard from by daybreak Saturday, so a search got underway.
His body was found in the large canal late Saturday morning as the floodwaters were subsiding, County Coroner Kenny Johnson said.
On Saturday it was unknown whether Ward died as a result of injuries from the traffic accident or if he drowned, so an autopsy was conducted at the Medical University of South Carolina.
The results of the autopsy, released Sunday morning, showed Ward had no internal or external injuries from the accident.
"The autopsy indicated he drowned," Johnson said.
Exactly what happened after Ward's truck hit the ditch may never be known. Johnson said it does not appear he stepped out of the truck and immediately went underwater because of the distance between the truck and where his body was found.
There is a possibility Ward was swept away by the strong, storm-driven current as he tried walking away from the truck.
"The water was still racing pretty good when I got there (at around noon Saturday)," Johnson said.
According to the Associated Press, as of Sunday morning, no other deaths have been attributed to Tropical Storm Hanna in the continental United States. The storm claimed 137 lives in Haiti and two people were killed in Puerto Rico.
First reported at www.gtowntimes.com at 1 p.m. Saturday and updated at 9 a.m. Sunday.
|
while there is peace let's keep it like that O>K If you want to do something......PRAY Posted by PEACE on 9/9/2008
|
|
Wonder why he was out on the streets of Andrews at 3 a.m. in the morning during those weather conditions anyhow? Posted by wondering on 9/9/2008
|
|
Confused, I totally agree with you about Doc's post. Maybe he/she wanted to stop any negative comments before it got started. Sometimes it's best to LEAVE IT ALONE. I will sincerely pray that this does not happen. Sometime people can be so unkind. Please, Please leave it alone!!!!! Posted by Roshana on 9/9/2008
|
|
Hey Doc, your post confuses me. By you bringing up how Mr. Ward's imperfectness makes people wonder what you are talking about. who has been mocking him? I don't see any posts doing that. You really did him and his family a disservice by the content and tone of your post. Posted by Confused on 9/8/2008
|
|
Chad will be missed...he was a precious young man made by God...he may not have been perfect but who on this earth is perfect? Before running off at the mouth about this child like I have seen in other comment sections, sweep around your own steps...WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES...but remember, he is now free of those of you that mock him...He is in a much better place than we all are in...I taught him and also know his family...I KNOW what he was made of...he was a good guy who loved life and liked to have fun...God Bless his family... Posted by Doc on 9/8/2008
|
