Authorities find body of missing trucker

MILLER CITY - The body of an Illinois truck driver who got his rig stuck in the Blanchard River's muddy, swollen waters was found Friday 900 feet from where his truck came to rest.

Putnam County Sheriff Jim Beutler said search crews discovered the body of Clyde Mayo, 74, of Martinton, Ill., around 9:25 a.m. Friday in a water-covered corn field. The discovery capped a more than day-long search for the man who apparently got lost and was attempting to find his way around the high water areas.

"As he attempted to cross through the high water on County Road 15 near the Blanchard River, the loaded truck was swept off the edge of the road by the extreme current," Beutler said. "Mr. Mayo exited his truck and quickly (was) overcome by the extreme temperature and force of the water."

Putnam County Coroner Anna Horstman pronounced Mayo dead at the scene. Officials requested an autopsy to determine the actual cause of death.

Mayo got his semi tractor-trailer caught in muddy floodwaters along Road 15 south of Road H-13. Beutler said the incident started with the semi striking a power pole at Road J and Road 14-I south of Miller City around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Mayo ended up heading north on Road 15 when he got his rig caught in the floodwaters, the current picking the tractor-trailer up and floating off the left side of the road, where it lodged, Beutler said.

Beutler said Mayo was swept up in about 4 feet of water when he exited his cab and likely became disoriented in the cold and darkness before drowning.

A resident reported power was out, Beutler said. A search by crews eventually located the truck partially submerged in the water. Beutler said the driver's odds of making it to safety were slim because of the combination of darkness, cold water, brisk current and being in unfamiliar territory.

Recovery efforts on Thursday included a sky search from an Ohio State Highway Patrol helicopter as well as on the water efforts in an airboat from the U.S. Coast Guard station at Marblehead.

The incident was the third involving motorists needing rescue from high waters this week. The other two drivers were rescued.