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The passing of tropical storm Florence in South Carolina continued Tuesday after a prisoner transport van carrying two detainees was caught up by the floods.
The transport vehicle from the Horry County Sheriff's Office was transporting Conway's "inmates" to Darlington and heading west on US Highway 76 about 800 meters from the Little Pee Dee River, according to the information provided. by the sheriff's office. .
Tim Harper, Marion County Administrator, said the incident occurred at 6:08 pm.
"The two deputies tried to clear the people transported," said the sheriff's office. "Despite persistent and persistent efforts, flood waters have risen rapidly and MPs have been unable to open the doors to reach the people inside the van."
The high-water rescue teams arrived at the scene and picked up the deputies on the van, the sheriff's office said.
Efforts to recover the detainees continued Tuesday night, said the sheriff's office. Their bodies could not be removed from the vehicle due to rising water and other dangerous conditions.
Officers from the State Law Enforcement Division are investigating the incident and the Marion County Coroner's Office will identify the deceased inmates.
Horry County Sheriff Phillip Thompson called the incident a tragedy and said his agency was cooperating fully with SLED.
According to the Department of Transportation of S.C., all lanes of Highway 76 in the section on which the van was traveling were closed due to flooding.
Florence dumped significant amounts of rain on the Pee Dee.
Near Marion received more than 19 inches, according to a preliminary report on storm rainfall by the National Meteorological Service. Galivants Ferry, located further down the river in Horry County, saw more than 16 inches.
Tuesday night, 37 deaths were attributed to Florence, including eight in South Carolina.
Reach Gregory Yee at 843-937-5908. Follow him on Twitter @ GrégoryYYee.
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