One dead after car swept from road near Gower

Clinton County Coroner Lee Hanks and Sheriff Larry Fish wade into flood waters Saturday during the recovery of a vehicle that was swept up by flood waters south of Gower. Phonto via Clinton County Sheriff's Department on Facebook

By Brett Adkison
Leader Editor

Flood waters in Clinton County claimed the life of a person overnight south of Gower.

The Clinton County Sheriff’s Department and the water rescue unit of the Gower Fire Department responded to a call Saturday morning at approximately 9 a.m. of a vehicle that had been swept up by flood waters on County Line Road at Castile Creek. The call was made by an occupant of the vehicle who was able to escape and safely reach a nearby home.

It is believed the vehicle was swept off of County Line Road between 11:45 pm and midnight, according to Clinton County Sheriff Larry Fish, trapping the four occupants for upwards of nine hours.

The water rescue unit was able to save two people from the vehicle, but a third did not survive. The deceased was also recovered by the water rescue unit.

Clinton County Coroner Lee Hanks and Sheriff Fish assisted Randy’s Tow in the recovery of the vehicle. The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol also assisted at scene.

Gower’s water rescue unit was added just in recent years. Sheriff Fish said such units provide a much needed resource, as was seen Saturday, but added that departments don’t often spend the money for water rescue units because they don’t think there is a need.