The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Local News

April 30, 2009

<img src="http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/policeandfire.gif" border=0 > Couple drown after car swept away in creek

OSWEGO, Kan. — Labette County authorities said two people drowned when their vehicle was swept away by floodwaters at a low-water crossing of Pumpkin Creek near Mound Valley.

The Labette County Sheriff’s Department said the bodies of a couple who were last seen about 10 p.m. Monday were discovered early Wednesday in a car submerged in 10 feet of water about 200 feet downstream from a crossing on 15000 Road.

The driver of the vehicle, Tonya L. Demoss, 22, of Springfield, Mo., and her passenger, Tyler J. OdafferMike Stair 4/29/09 stet, 26, of Parsons, were reported missing about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Sheriff’s deputies began searching the low-water crossing with the assistance of the Parsons Fire Department’s water-rescue unit and located the 1998 Saturn overturned in the creek at 1:33 a.m. Wednesday. Authorities believe the vehicle was westbound and was swept into the stream at the crossing.

The victims’ bodies were sent to Topeka for autopsies. The drownings raised the number of weather-related deaths in the state since the weekend to five.

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