Penny Forrest, 72, drowns after driver goes around 'Road Closed' sign into floodwaters near Clatskanie, Oregon

Modified Date: 
Thu, 05/16/2019 - 4:09pm
Accident Date: 
Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Woman drowns, man rescued after driving into high water near Clatskanie

The couple was identified Thursday morning as 72-year-old Penny Forrest and 82-year-old Richard A. Forrest of Clatskanie. Richard Forrest drove around a road closure sign at Lost Creek Road and Highway 30, said Oregon State Police Lt. Bill Fugate. The Jeep went into the high water on the flooded road, where it floated, drifted, stalled and sank. Forrest pulled himself out of the vehicle as it sank, and then he yelled for help. A neighbor saw him standing on the roof of the submerged car and flagged down a Clatskanie PUD crew, according to Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District Chief Steve Sharek.

Woman drowns in high water vehicle accident

Sharek said the male was able to extricate himself from the vehicle and began to call for help. He managed to flag down a Clatskanie PUD crew, who then performed what Sharek described as a heroic rescue of the male. The female could not be reached in time for a rescue effort. The vehicle was totally submerged, and the male was standing in knee to waist high water on its roof, according to Sharek. A dive team was requested to search for the female occupant, but but before it could arrive a Scappoose swift water rescue boat arrived, attaching a tow cable to the vehicle and recovering it from the water.

Type: Car Accident
People Involved: 
Penny Forrest
Richard A. Forrest

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