MAN INJURED IN TREACHEROUS PLUNGE - Lowell Bunch Swims From Icy Steer Creek

(02/28/2002)

By Bob Weaver Workers reach roadway with accident victim A Calhoun man Lowell Bunch was injured Thursday morning when his car plunged over a steep "up and down" hillside at Russett, his vehicle landing on its top in Steer Creek, according to Deputy Sheriff Carl Ballengee. Bunch managed to swim from his partially submerged vehicle, crawling to the bank. He was taken to Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center by Calhoun EMS, the extent of his injuries unknown. Bunch managed to get to shore (shown next to boat) The Bunch vehicle was traveling from Grantsville when it struck a car driven by Melissa Lamp, 17, of Russett. Bunch's Chevy Lumina then left the highway, crashing over the treacherous road bank. Lamp, a student at Calhoun High School, was backing onto the highway in front of the Herb Morrell residence. She was taken to Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center for evaluation. Herb Morrell and Millard Nichols managed to reach the man, covering him with their coats. "He was extremely cold," said Herb Morrell. "We did what we could for him until the ambulance arrived." The Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department lowered a rescue basket by rope to the victim, where EMS personnel prepared him for transportation. He was placed in a boat and floated up Streer Creek to an area where he could more readily be lifted to the main highway. Temperatures were hovering about twenty degrees when the 7:40 a.m. accident happened. Emergency personnel responded quickly to the scene. Traffic was closed for over an hour on the Russett Road between the old Levering Store and the junction of Sycamore Road. The area is plagued with a very narrow highway, steep drop-offs and curves. Hillside to left is straight up and down Victim was taken up Steer Creek for better removal VFD prepares to lower rescue equipment Spectators view scene, where Steer Creek empties into Little Kanawha River Volunteers help pull basket up steep hill

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