High Water Hinders Rescue Efforts, Vehicle’s Occupants Presumed Dead

Press release from the California Highway Patrol:

chpstarOn December 5th at approximately 2020 hours, the California Highway Patrol received a report of a vehicle off the side of US-199 and into the Smith River near Hiouchi. The CHP, fire department, and Del Norte County Search and Rescue responded to the scene. Rescue personnel observed one tire from the vehicle and the vehicle was completely submerged in the river. Based on the physical evidence at the scene, and witness statements, the solo vehicle left southbound US- 199, and rolled down the embankment, breaking out windows, and leaving debris.

The agencies on scene checked the area around the collision scene and downstream, attempting to locate any occupants. Due to the high and rising water level, and swift current, rescue personnel could not access the vehicle.

The California Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate this collision, and work on vehicle recovery, with the assistance of Del Norte County Search and Rescue.

UPDATE: As of December 7, 2015, the Del Norte Search and Rescue as well as the California Highway Patrol have been unable to access the vehicle involved in this collision due to the high water, location, and extreme current of the river. The vehicle’s ownership has been determined, and the families of the vehicle’s occupants have been notified.

Due to current and pending storm activity, it may be some time before recovery can be made. The California Highway Patrol will work closely with the Del Norte Search and Rescue to begin recovery efforts as soon as it is safe to do so.

Out of respect to the family, and due to the ongoing investigation, the names of the occupants are not being released at this time.

 

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7 Comments
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G-ma
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G-ma
8 years ago

My prayers to the family!!God bless you

Crescent city
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Crescent city
8 years ago
Reply to  G-ma

Very unfortunate. Our condolences to the family and friends of these guys.

Crescent city
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Crescent city
8 years ago
Reply to  Crescent city

Thank You, KYM KEMP. YOU DO THE JOB RIGHT. I see a lot of people who make hurtful comments and it was spot on for you to remove them. They will also be judged one day.

TT
Guest
TT
8 years ago

What a bummer! RIP

Here are the water levels. If they went into the gorge it would be really difficult to get the auto to the road. At these water levels it is insane. Maybe a Rush Sturgis type and crew could get eyes on it with kayaks. If they could maybe they could get a cable on it attached it to a giant boulder let the river do the work . When water goes down it would be out of the river. Maybe drop a throw rope with 2 lb. weight in the bag through an upstream window . pull weight out of bag let the poly rope find its way to the surface attach cable. If not the cable maybe a crab float with a sensor on it. Really afraid it would end up in the deep ocean. I have kayaked this river at 21 ft. We put in at Patrick’s Creek and stop for lunch at the R H Mine. I took 2.5 hours normally 8-10 hours.
It looks like a lot more huge rains are coming. You can keep track of the water flow as this gauge is near the south fork bridge in the middle fork.
http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?gage=ftdc1&wfo=eka

Anon Forrest
Guest
8 years ago
Reply to  TT

Whoa! Thank you Tt for the resource. Strength to the families. af

TT
Guest
TT
8 years ago
Reply to  Anon Forrest

The Jed Smith Gauge is the one I should have posted.
http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?gage=ftdc1&wfo=eka

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[…] ago, on December 5, a vehicle went off Hwy 199 into the Smith River near Hiouchi. According to a California Highway Patrol press release, rescuers were “unable to access the vehicle involved in this collision due to the high […]