KBIA Local
(2008-09-16)
COLUMBIA, MO
(KBIA) -
According to Columbia police, road closed signs had been placed near a flooded stretch of roadway where a young woman died over the weekend. However the police say, at some point, the signs and barricades had been moved and were not blocking the road when emergency crews arrived on the scene after being dispatched to the water rescue call. The body of 21-year-old Michelle Runkle was found in Hominy Creek after she attempted to rescue a stranded man Sunday morning. Runkle and a friend had spotted the man clinging to a water-locked golf cart bridge and stopped to call 911. That's when Runkle waded into the creek and vanished. Captain Eric Hartman of the Columbia Fire Department says this situation could have been avoided. "If you see an emergency situation develop, do not enter the water yourself. Contact 911 and have the proper authorities dispatched that have the proper training and equipment."
This is the second water drowning in Columbia within the past three weeks. Jared Isaiah Healea drowned in August after he went swimming with friends in a restricted area of Stephens Lake.
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