Car Witnessed Being Washed Off of River Road South

Witnesses could not reach the man as he called for help

(Salem) - Lights flashed and sirens wailed again Wednesday, as Salem firefighters responded in full force to a report of a person in their car washed off of River Road South. The call came in at about 1:45 PM.

The report came from a Marion County Public Works crew. They told firefighters and deputies that they literally watched the man's car carried off of the road by rushing flood waters a little west of the main area where the road is flooded.

The public works employees say the man screamed for help and they tried to reach him, but were unable to because of the depth and current. That's when the call came in to 911, advising dispatchers of the man's circumstances.

Water rescue team members wearing dry suits set out along the flooded roadway and eventually reached the spot where the man was last seen. They said there was no sign of him. They did find something though, a partially submerged car that had also been washed off of River Road South, a different car. They reported that the car was unoccupied, and confirmed that it did not match the description of the car that public works crews had witnessed being carried away earlier.

If you can identify the man who may have been swept from River Road South Wednesday afternoon, please report the information to Salem Fire. The same holds true for anyone who may know about the other car the firefighters located. Unfortunately, a description was not available for either vehicle at this time. Salem area weather forecast