VICTIM IDENTIFIED AFTER CAR PLUNGES IN RIVER - Rider Escapes Serious Injury

(10/29/2003)

Firemen, EMS and emergency personnel worked feverishly to revive victim beside Little Kanawha A Grantsville man died Tuesday night when his car plunged into the Little Kanawha River on State Route 5, a short distance west of the town limits. Authorities have identified the victim as Dustin McCormick, about 22. The McCormick vehicle, a Ford Focus, was traveling east when it went out of control on newly paved and rain-slick Route 5. The auto went over the steep embankment, struck a tree and submerged. Jason Rider, a passenger in the vehicle, was taken to Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center, where he was admitted overnight, in satisfactory condition. McCormick had just dropped a passenger from his vehicle and Rider remained in the back seat of the vehicle, to be dropped a short distance away. Rider managed to extract himself from the auto, which sank to the bottom of the river. The victim was reportedly discovered partially in the water, with rescue workers bringing him to the highway in a rescue basket. Calhoun EMS and members of the Grantsville Volunteer Fire department performed CPR on the victim at the scene and enroute to the hospital. Firemen Steve Heath returns to road bank after performing CPR Emergency worker Craig Gherke suits up for river search Scuba divers Charlie McCroskey and Gherke drop down steep embankment Northside resident and Grantsville firemen Jim Garretson called 911 after he heard screams. Scuba divers Craig Gherke and Charlie McCroskey initiated the search for other victims, but discontinued the effort after learning only two people had been in the vehicle. Firemen said the river was up a few feet above its normal stage, and flowing swiftly. Firemen did not find the submerged vehicle last night, and were continuing the search Wednesday morning. Trooper Doug Starcher of the West Virginia State Police is investigating the accident. The Grantsville VFD dispatched three units to the scene, and Calhoun EMS sent two ambulances. The deceased is the son of Doug McCormick and grandson of Jim and Evelyn McCormick of Grantsville. Funeral arrangements will be completed at Stump Funeral Home in Grantsville.

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