Authorities searching for car, possible victim in Alabama River

Published 1:31 pm Sunday, May 31, 2009

SELMA — Law enforcement and rescue workers are searching the waters and banks of the Alabama River today, Sunday, for a possible victim of a vehicle accident. None of the authorities are talking at present.

“We don’t know anything,” said Dallas County Coroner Alan Dailey as he peered over the bank’s edge on Water Avenue. “We don’t know if there’s a car down there.”

Authorities began their search Saturday evening after a report that the barrier at the sharp curve alongside the Carneal Building on Water Avenue had been broken. Police tape and barrels marked the gap in the yellow wooden fence. Small gashes in the earth were apparent about 12 feet from the fence, but no other indicators showed a vehicle had run down the embankment.

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A group of sightseers gathered at the location early Sunday afternoon as two rescue boats pulled close to the embankment.

More updates as more information becomes available.