Colleton County Fire-Rescue

5/11/2009

Stations 1, 9, 19 and 27 responded to a fatal MVC on I-95 northbound near the 52 mile marker, Monday afternoon 11-May at 1531. A caller reported seeing a motorcycle in a water filled ditch. Fire-Rescue units and Highway Patrol arrived shortly and located the motorcycle, but could not locate a driver. The ditch contained approximately four feet of dark, murky water. The accident was located near a culvert that passes under the Interstate. Firefighters searched the heavily wooded area around the accident site and used pike poles to feel around in the water, but still were unable to locate anyone. The Highway Patrol began checking the registration on the motorcycle and eventually were able to locate a family member who noted the driver had been missing since Sunday when he failed to meet a family member in another state. He left Florida Saturday evening. With the new information, Fire-Rescue placed two divers in the water, but still could not locate anything in the ditch or around the accident site. About 10 minutes later, the divers located the man’s body inside the culvert approximately 25 feet under the Interstate. He appeared to have been there for some time. The Highway Patrol MAIT Team is investigating the accident. Members of the man’s family were in Walterboro when he was found. The Coroner’s Office transported his body.

Engine 1, Engine 19, Medic 9, Medic 27 and Battalion 1 responded. Battalion Chief Brent Dalton served as Incident Commander.