(Update) Woman missing in Pike County flood waters

Update January 3: Indiana Conservation Officers continued searching for Cathryn McGill in the large amounts of accumulated corn stalks and trees left behind as the waters receded.

The officers used heavy machinery to work through the piles and a private volunteer with a K9 assisted in searching the area. 

Several personal items were located today in a field downstream from the accident site.

Officers and volunteers should be able to complete the search of the corn stalks in the primary search area Saturday.

Officers will also have boats on the river conducting dragging operations and K9 teams will be searching by land.

After the primary search area is cleared Saturday search efforts will continue but be long term due to the probability that Cathryn is in the main body of the White River.

Update January 1:  Indiana Conservation Officers concluded their search efforts for Cathryn McGill at dark Wednesday evening.

The rapidly receding waters had officers hopeful in their search efforts.

Although the receding water partially exposed the Chevy Colorado driven by the McGill’s, it also exposed new obstacles. The flooding had deposited large piles of corn stalks and trees in the area of their seach efforts.

Officers and members of area Fire Departments spent the day completing shore and boat-based searches along with deploying divers to search the debris piles. Officers also deployed a Remote Operated Vehicle utilizing its sonar capabilities.

Search operations will resume shortly after Thursday morning.

Update December 31: Indiana Conservation Officers searched for Cathryn McGill today but to no avail. They concluded their search efforts at dark.

Conservation Officers deployed a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) on Tuesday to assist in the search efforts. Although current river conditions are not optimal, the ROV, a tethered submersible unit housing a camera and sonar, may aid search efforts.

Update: Indiana Conservation Officers have located a truck submerged in water about 75 yards away from Highway 257. They believe it to be the McGill’s Chevrolet Colorado.

The search for Cathryn McGill is still actively underway. The search for Cathryn will conclude at dark this evening and resume at daylight tomorrow.

Adam McGill was released from the hospital today after being treated for hypothermia.

The Pike County native currently serves as a active duty member of the U.S. Navy and is in the area visiting his family.

Original Story: Indiana Conservation Officers are searching for a Des Plaines, Illinois woman after the vehicle she was in was swept into flood waters along Highway 257 at about 7:45 a.m.

Cathryn McGill, 31, was a passenger in a vehicle being driven by her husband Adam McGill, 35, when it was swept off the roadway in flood waters on near the Pike County and Daviess County line.

Duck hunters in the area witnessed the couple as they tried to navigate the flood waters in their vehicle which was driving south at the time. After seeing the vehicle get swept off the roadway, they drove their boat to the area the vehicle was last seen and rescued Adam who they heard screaming for help. They were unable to locate Cathryn.

Adam McGill was transported to Daviess County Community Hospital and later transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center in Evansville for treatment of hypothermia.

Search efforts included bank searches, side scan sonar, canine searches, wading shallow water and dragging operations.

Responding agencies included Daviess County Sheriff’s Department, Pike County Sheriff’s Department, Harrison Fire Department, Jefferson Township Fire Department, Southwest Medical, Pike County EMS, Pike County EMA, Ohio Valley Search and Rescue, American Red Cross and Indiana Conservation Officers.

Water based search efforts will conclude at dusk and begin again tomorrow morning.

Conservation Officers strongly encourage obeying road closing signs and to avoid driving through flooded roadways.

Updates will follow as more information becomes available.