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Allen Craig
Born in Missouri
63 years
672727
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February 17, 2008

The "Accident"

 

Allen and Marian were traveling home late Saturday night early Sunday morning from a birthday party. It had been raining and by the time they left the party, it had stopped.


Allen lived in Jay, Oklahoma for 24 years, so he knew the low water bridges well. He was known to turn around and go another way home if there was even the slightest doubt in is mind that it was safe to cross. What made him decide to try to cross...we will never know.


As they approached the bridge, Allen rolled his window down to watch the side of the bridge where a log had lodged itself against the bridge. As they got to the middle of the bridge, the car stalled. Marian (who is deathly afraid of water) noticed water already up to her ankles. Allen tried to start the car, only it wouldn't turn over. He proceeded to crawl out of the open window and  threw his cowboy hat into the back seat. He then grabbed Marians purse, and put it over his shoulder. He then helped Marian out of the car to try to walk to safety. As he held her hand and walked to the back of the car, the water knocked him off his feet and over the bridge.


Marian screamed for Allen as she watched in horror her husband disappear under the water. She then managed to get herself back to the drivers window and get one leg into the open window, where she hung on for dear life for the next 2 hours.


A lady that lives on the road (Nadine) decided to stay up late that night. She said she normally goes to bed early, but decided to stay up and read a book. She was so engrossed in the book that she didn't notice the time... 3 hours later. She said she faintly heard something that sounded like "Help me". She went and opened the door, but didn't hear anything. She closed the door and heard it again. At first she thought it was a coyote, but then thought it was someone having a party at the bridge. She called her daughter, who lives on the other side of the creek and road from her and told her she was going to go check. Her daughter met her at the bridge and realized someone was stranded.


Nadine and her daughter and son-in-law tried everything they could think of to get Marian to safety. They threw her ropes, electrical cords, anything they could think of...to no avail. After about 2 hour in the water, she was rescued...it took this long because they live 15 miles from town...and it took the rescuers time to get to them. It was then that Marian was able to tell the rescuers that Allen was in the creek.


Marian was treated for severe hytohermia and released from the hospital later that day.

 

 

News Articles

February 18, 2008

Jay man missing after being swept away from vehicle by floodwater

Associated Press - February 17, 2008 9:05 PM ET

JAY, Okla. (AP) - A 62-year-old Jay man is missing after authorities say he was apparently swept away from his stalled vehicle by rushing water.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says Allen S. Craig was traveling eastbound on a Delaware County road near Jay about 1 a.m. Sunday when his vehicle stalled as he attempted to cross rapid flood water over a low-water bridge.

Authorities say Craig exited the vehicle and walked to its rear but was swept away by the current. Rescuers are continuing to search for Craig.

A passenger in the vehicle, 64-year-old Marian A. Craig of Jay, stayed in the vehicle and was rescued by members of the Butler Fire Department.

She was taken to a Grove hospital, where she was treated for hypothermia and released.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


http://www.9online.com/Global/story.asp?S=7886059

February 21, 2008

Body of Jay man recovered after fourth day

 
From staff reports
Thursday, February 21, 2008 2:40 PM EST

JAY - The body of a Delaware County man who was swept away by high water was recovered Wednesday, the Delaware County Sheriff's office confirmed.

Allen S. Craig, 62, of Jay was found approximately 400 yards downstream from Whitewater Bridge in rural Delaware County.

His body was located near an embankment where water was estimated to be five feet deep, said Capt. Larry Barnett, of the Delaware County Sheriff's Office.

Craig was less than a miles from his home Sunday when his vehicle stalled as he attempted to drive through high water as it flowed over a low-water crossing.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports that Craig was apparently swept away from his stalled vehicle by rushing water. Authorities believe Craig exited the vehicle and was swept away by the current.

The bridge was a couple of feet under water and the creek had risen to six feet, Barnett said.

Rescue workers were in the creek Wednesday breaking up brush when they discovered him, Barnett said.

A passenger in the vehicle, 64-year-old Marian A. Craig of Jay, stayed in the vehicle and was rescued by members of the Butler Fire Department. She was taken to a Grove hospital, where she was treated for hypothermia and released.

About 50 rescue personnel, including volunteers and members of the Delaware County Sheriff's Office, OHP, the Grove and Jay police departments, and local emergency management departments spent the past four days looking for Craig, Barnett said.


Copyright © 2008 The News Record

http://www.miaminewsrecord.com/articles/2008/02/21/news/news3.txt

February 22, 2008

Body of drowned man recovered
Jay man swept away by floodwater Sunday
From Staff Reports
Published: Friday, February 22, 2008 5:33 PM CST


JAY – The search for a Jay man who was swept away by floodwater concluded Wednesday morning with the discovery of his body, according to the Delaware County Sheriff’s Department.

Allen S. Craig, 62, was traveling eastbound on a rural Delaware County road between Jay and Grove about 1 a.m. Sunday when his vehicle stalled as he attempted to cross rapidly flowing floodwater over a low-water concrete bridge in the Whitewater area.

Searchers found his remains at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, Sheriff’s Captain Larry Barnett said. The body was located about 250 yards downstream from the bridge where Craig exited his vehicle, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. It was in approximately five feet of water beneath some brush.

The OHP reported Craig was apparently swept away from his stalled vehicle by rushing water. Authorities said Craig exited the vehicle and walked to its rear but was swept away by the current.

“There was a couple of feet of water over the bridge and the creek had gotten as high as six feet,” Barnett said.

A passenger in the vehicle, 64-year-old Marian A. Craig of Jay, stayed in the vehicle and was rescued by members of the Butler Fire Department.

She was taken to a Grove hospital, where she was treated for hypothermia and released.

Efforts of several agencies continued Tuesday morning throughout the day and ended with local giggers coming out after dark to take over the watery search.

Approximately 40 searchers from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Delaware County Sheriff’s Department, Butler Fire Department, Cherokee Nation Marshals, Eucha Fire Department, GRDA, Deerlick Wrecker, Jay and Grove Emergency Managements, were joined by Newton County Emergency Management’s Wilderness Search & Rescue team’s divers and three human remains detection dogs.

About ten members of Craig’s family also joined the search on Tuesday.

Delaware County Sheriff Jay Blackfox said the family and his department were very appreciative of all those who came out to assist with the search.

“The community really pulled together. We are grateful to everyone who helped,” Blackfox said.

Rescuers would like to thank Jay McDonald’s, Sonic, Pizza Hut, Spudnut’s, and Okie Mart, as well as Grove Wal-Mart, Rib Crib, and Charlie’s Chicken for providing food and beverages for them during the four-day search.


http://www.grovesun.com/articles/2008/02/22/news/doc47bf0dc0c17b6412162399.txt