Despite the fact that the hurricane «Florence» for a long time weakened and moved inland, its consequences — such as flooding — will long continue to threaten the people of South and North Carolina.
One of the latest victims of the «Florence» began Wendy Newton (45) and Nicolette green (43). On Tuesday (September 18) evening, by order of the court, two Deputy Sheriff — Joshua Bishop and Stephen Flood — carrying women to a psychiatric institution. Near Little Pee Dee River their van caught in flood waters and began to sink. Wendy and Nicolette are trapped. The Horry County Sheriff Phillip Thompson said that law enforcement officials tried to free women, but, «unfortunately, are unable to open the doors of the van and pull out a lady.»
Following the tragedy of last night’s high-water incident, Sheriff Thompson released the following information. pic.twitter.com/xpirs67W6E
— Horry County Sheriff (@horrysheriff) September 19, 2018
In turn, the family of Nicolette said that the death of women can be associated not with «Florence,» and the actions of employees.
«We want those responsible were brought to her, told WLTX-TV relatives of the deceased, who has two children. These women were not prisoners or criminals. They were women who voluntarily asked for help. They trusted hospitals and Sheriff’s deputies their lives, and this trust was misplaced. We need answers».
According to Thompson, the rescue crews took about 45 minutes to find the van, which at the time was under water, and pick his assistants, located on the roof of the car.
Justin Bamberg, state legislator and lawyer who had previously worked on cases of people injured or killed by law enforcement officers, said that he was puzzled by the decision on the carriage of any person in such uncertain weather conditions.
Their names were Nicolette Green and Wendy Newton. pic.twitter.com/B2OVJ9jao8
— 𝕄𝕀𝔻𝕎𝔼𝕊𝕋 𝕌ℕℝ𝔼𝕊𝕋 (@MW_Unrest) September 20, 2018
«If the road is in an area where there is a risk of flooding, why do they still go that way? perplexed Bamberg. — People need to know exactly how it happened.»
Thompson said he began an internal investigation and sent the Bishop and Flooding on administrative leave.
According to the law of South Carolina, if a doctor confirms that the person is a clear threat of harm to self due to mental illness and should be involuntarily hospitalized and emergency room, law enforcement officials are obliged to deliver him to the proper authorities.
