North Carolina Boy Drowns When Uncle Tries to Drive Across Flooded Creek

MOUNT AIRY, N.C. (AP) - A 7-year-old boy died after his uncle tried to drive across a flooded creek with him against the wishes of the boy's father, authorities said. Jonathan Wayne Morris died early Saturday at a hospital, said state trooper Rick Lawson.

The boy's father, Wayne Morris, got out of the station wagon when it approached the creek, Lawson said. He told the boy's uncle, Daniel Morris, he would not ride across it. Daniel Morris drove off before the father could remove his son.

The station wagon was swept downstream about 50 feet and got stuck against the bank, Lawson said. Wayne Morris tried to rescue his son from the car, but accidentally dropped him in the creek, Lawson said.

Daniel Morris was treated and released Saturday from a Winston-Salem hospital. No charges were filed and troopers continued to investigate the incident.



http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBP89QYZVD.html

I can't even imagine how the father and the uncle are feeling right now. It is all so incredibly sad.

But why do we hear about this happening year after year? Would it be possible to make a barrier that gets activated when the water level gets too high? Or even just a warning sign that is visible or flashes only when the water level is too high? I can't help but think that something could be done to prevent this from happening over and over again.

-Make7

but what about when it's raining?

Maybe a sensor that monitors the water level and was hooked up to flashing lights on signs warning motorists that the road was flooded and too dangerous to cross. I don't think that would cost very much. But of course that doesn't mean people wouldn't just ignore the warning anyway. People still drive around the barriers at train crossings and get hit. I just think if there is a road that has had problems with people trying to cross when it's flooded, it would be a good idea to try to come up with some kind of warning system.

-Make7

How dumb could the man have possibly been?