State police say a truck driver is presumed dead after driving this morning into the floodwaters of the Schoharie Creek along Route 5S in the town of Glen.
State police Sr. Inv. Karl Meybaum said several employees of the New York State Thruway Authority who were inspecting the Route 5S bridge over the Schoharie Creek saw the man drive into the swollen creek around 10 a.m. today.
Fire and police crews were stationed on the water line near the Thruway, he said, but no body or vehicle was recovered. State police used a helicopter earlier today to search for a vehicle in the creek. Officials say search efforts have been discontinued for the day, but may resume on Tuesday.
Meybaum said as far as police are aware, only one person was inside the vehicle.
“We aren’t releasing any names yet, but we have a tentative ID of who it might be,” said Meybaum.
A Clarksville woman is the only person in the Capital Region so far confirmed as having died as a result of Hurricane Irene.
State police said Sharon L. Stein, 69, of Slingerlands Avenue, along the Onesquethaw Creek, was reported missing by her husband, Geoffrey, about 12:15 p.m. Sunday as the couple was loading belongings into their vehicle to evacuate.
Initial search efforts were unsuccessful due to swift water and flood conditions, troopers said, but about 4:35 p.m., her body was spotted by passersby amidst trees in the creek a short distance away.
Her body was recovered by the Onesquethaw Fire Department and taken to Albany Medical Center, where an autopsy will be performed.
Categories: Schenectady County
