Fayette County Sheriff Mike Fridley released the following statement and update on the swift water rescue attempt in Pax, West Virginia that claimed the life of an 11 week old baby.
At approximately 8:26 am on Friday, February 17, 2023, the Fayette County 911 Center received a call that a vehicle was stuck in high water in the area of 2179 Paint Creek Road, Pax, West Virginia. The female caller stated to dispatchers that her infant child was in the vehicle and she is unable to locate the infant.The Fayette County Swift Water Rescue along with deputies of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office is on the scene.
At approximately 2:30 pm, the vehicle was located completely submerged and a single passenger was found inside. The occupant was an 11-week-old male baby. Interviews conducted by Fayette County Deputies determined that the mother, who misjudged the depth of the water, drove in the road until she realized it was too deep. She then attempted to get the baby from the vehicle, when the vehicle was swept away. The area in which the vehicle was recovered, had areas with water as deep as 18 feet. Muddy water made visibility near zero, hindering first responders and their ability to search.
We cannot stress enough, the importance of not driving through flood waters. Water depth is very hard to judge, as well as it is hard to judge the speed of moving water. It is best to remember the phrase “Don’t Drown, Turn Around.”
Please join us in praying for the mother and the family due to this tragic accident. We would also like to pray for the first responders who were involved.
A special “thank you” is also given to all the agencies who were present to assist: the Fayette County Office of Emergency Management, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, the Fayette County Swift-Water Rescue Team, the Fayette County Rope Rescue Team, Pax Fire Department, Mount Hope Fire Department, Oak Hill Fire Department, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, the Beckley-Raleigh County Office of Emergency Management, the Nicholas County Office of Emergency Management, the Beaver Fire Department Dive Team, and the American Red Cross.
This incident remains under investigation by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department Detective Bureau.
