[Photo: Madera Sheriff’s Office]
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A search in Mariposa County for two people believed swept away in Thursday’s storm is being cut back.
The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office says 72-year-old Carol Brown of Catheys Valley (below) & 67-year-old John Honesto of Don Pedro were both reported missing during Thursday’s storm.
[Photo: Facebook]Brown left her house around 5:00 p.m. that day to check on her horse.
When she didn’t return 30 minutes later, her husband started searching for her, finding their utility vehicle on its side in the creek.
Her jacket was later found in debris.
Over 70 personnel have been continuously searching for both Carol and John.
This consists of Ground Searchers, Swift Water Teams, Boating Rescue, Drones, Helicopters and Search Dogs. Search management Teams have been organizing and directing the efforts in coordination with the Mariposa County Emergency Operations Center.
The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office has been assisted in the search operations by 12 allied agencies, which include: Tuolumne County Sheriff, Madera County Sheriff, Kern County Sheriff, Fresno County Sheriff, Merced County Sheriff, Stanislaus County Sheriff, Calaveras County Sheriff, California Highway Patrol H40 Helicopter, CARDA Rescue and Cadaver Dogs, California Office of Emergency Services, CALFIRE and Monterey County Sheriff.
The dive team, the swift water rescue, drones, and foot searchers all combing the debris from flood water in a creek had risen up to 10 feet deep.
[Photo: Twitter]Honesto, a substitute teacher, (above) was on his way home that day on Highway 132.
His destroyed vehicle was found downstream of the Piney Creek culvert.
The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office says it’s unlikely either victims survived and they pulled back their efforts on Monday, March 26th.
Both Brown and Honesto will continue to be listed as missing.
[Photo: Madera Sheriff’s Office]
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
