SUMNER COUNTY — The body of a man was recovered Sunday after his vehicle submerged in Sumner County floodwaters.
Just before 3:30p.m. Saturday, deputies were dispatched to the 600 block of South Oliver after receiving a call of a submerged vehicle, accrding to a media release from the Sumner County Sheriff.
First responders found a black passenger vehicle underwater on the west side of the bridge. A witness told deputies that they saw the vehicle enter the water and that the occupant was still inside.
“Due to the speed and force of the floodwaters, water rescue personnel from the Wellington Fire Department were unable to safely enter the water. The Wellington Police Department deployed a drone to search for anyone in or along the water downstream and the Kansas Highway Patrol Air Unit assisted.
After four hours of searching, rescue efforts were temporarily suspended due to hazardous conditions and were to begin when water levels receded.
On Sunday morning first responders resumed the search, including the Wellington Fire Department and the Mulvane Fire Department Water Rescue teams.
Deputies were unable to to deploy a drone due to high winds. Just before 12:30 p.m., first responders recovered the body of 33-year-old Venkatesh Doppalaudi of Elkhorn, Nebraska.