[Press Release] : Victim located in Hominy Creek

[Press Releases]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Battalion Chief Steven Sapp, PIO - (573) 499-7035 

Victim located in Hominy Creek

COLUMBIA, MO (September 14, 2008) - Shortly after 5 p.m. on Sunday,
Sept. 14, two members of the Missouri State Water patrol assisting the
Columbia Fire Department in search efforts for Michelle Runkle, located
her about ¼ of a mile south of Clark Lane on the west side of Hominy
Creek. 

Miss Runkle was located in some debris in the creek and was found only
after water levels continued to drop throughout the day. The Boone
County Medical Examiners Office was called to the scene and will now
work to determine an exact cause of death. 

The Columbia Fire Department wishes to thank all of those involved in
the search and rescue efforts, including the Missouri State Water
Patrol, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Columbia Police
Department. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to the Runkle family.

Emergency services and public works officials in Columbia and Boone
County urge motorists to heed the advice - “Turn Around - Don't
Drown!”

Never attempt to drive across a flooded road in a vehicle or cross on
foot. You cannot tell how deep the water is, nor can you tell where the
roadway is or if the roadway has been washed out and is not there at
all. In addition, flowing water has much more power then we give it
credit for and can easily float and move vehicles off the roadway and
rapidly downstream. 

- 30 -
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