Dozens of emergency responders conduct 5-day search for drowning victim at Warren Bridge
photo submitted Ozark County and statewide emergency responders spent five days searching the flooded waters of Bryant Creek at Warren Bridge last week looking for Pottersville resident Brian Richardson, who had driven off the bridge during flooded conditions sometime around midnight April 29. The responders recovered his truck and pulled it from the water the Tuesday around noon, as shown in this photo. Richardson’s body was found in Bryant Creek Saturday.
The body of Brian Richardson, 50, of Pottersville, was recovered from Bryant Creek Saturday, May 4, after a five-day intensive search by responders.
Richardson reportedly drove into the flooded waters of Bryant Creek at Warren Bridge close to midnight last Monday, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol online report. His girlfriend called 911 and was connected with the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department at 12:08 a.m. April 30. She said Richardson called her to say he had driven into the high water, and his truck was being swept off the bridge into the water. Before she could get more information, the call was disconnected.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s dive team was brought in to help with the search, which was complicated by high water and low visibility in the flooded, muddy river.
The body was found, and he was pronounced dead by Ozark County Coroner Gene Britt at 8 a.m. May 4.
Several area first responders, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and Ozark County Sheriff’s Department also aided in the search.