Search for possible crime victim comes up empty
SOUTH CONNELLSVILLE – A six-hour search of the Youghiogheny River and its banks for a possible victim yielded nothing, according to state police. Communications officer Trooper Brian Burden said search and rescue teams from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and state police, were activated early Wednesday after someone reportedly saw someone carrying what was believed to be a woman over their shoulder in a wooded area above the river, near Hawkins Hollow Road.
“We searched the river and found nothing,” he said, adding that no one in the county had filed a missing persons report.
Burden said that he believed the initial report came from a CSX employee, but could not offer any further information.
CSX has rail operations along the river in the area.
According to Lt. Bob Sunny, spokesman for the county rescue squad, command posts where the two people were allegedly first seen and at the South Connellsville Rod and Gun Club were established to conduct the operation.
“From there, we had our (county) Special Fire Police Tactical Search and Rescue, ATV, ground and dog teams searching the area,” he said. “Everything was very well coordinated.”
The search was called off at approximately 4 p.m.
The South Connellsville Borough Fire Department was called to the station for possible assistance, but was not required to respond to the scene.
Connellsville Police Department Chief Stephen Cooper said he was notified of the activation of the search team by state police, but was not kept apprised of the investigation or its outcome. No officers from the department were dispatched to assist with the operation.