Bryant man found in flood waters

A Bryant man was found dead Monday in a flooded area of rural Adams County.

Emergency responders located the body of 55-year-old Anthony Gors along a portion of Adams County road 300 West flooded with water from the Wabash River about 11:05 a.m.

Officials believe he drowned.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) public relations captain Jet Quillen explained this morning Gors called a friend — he would not release the friend’s name — about 4:30 a.m. Monday about his vehicle stalling in the flood waters along county road 300 West. After the friend arrived to help, Gors attempted to get out of the van and started drifting away, prompting the friend to call 911.

The DNR and several other agencies, including Jay County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the scene just north of Adams County road 850 South about 5:44 a.m. Monday.

Gors’ body was found in water approximately 5 feet deep more than five hours later. He was discovered a short distance away from an unoccupied Chevy Express van, which had been driven around a swing gate with signs stating the road was closed, according to a press release from the DNR.

The portion of county road 300 West where he was recovered had been closed to traffic because of flooding, which stretched north of the Wabash River. Quillen noted although flooding can appear only a few feet deep, steep drop offs can develop in the water.

Quillen said this morning that the DNR believes Gors drowned, but he added that an autopsy was scheduled for later this morning.

“It appears to be a tragic accident,” said Quillen. “That’s why we urge everyone to obey those swing arms and any type of signage that warns of flooding or deep water…. It’s just not worth taking the risk of driving through any type of flood water because this is what can happen.”