Officials Provides Details On Flood Related Drowning

SEMINOLE, Okla. (AP) -- A Seminole woman who drowned after floodwaters hit her car apparently tried but was unable to get out of the vehicle, the city manager said Tuesday.<br/><br/>Billie Sue Curtis,

Tuesday, August 21st 2007, 3:05 pm

By: News On 6

SEMINOLE, Okla. (AP) -- A Seminole woman who drowned after floodwaters hit her car apparently tried but was unable to get out of the vehicle, the city manager said Tuesday.

Billie Sue Curtis, 67, was one of six people who drowned Sunday when heavy rains triggered flash floods in Oklahoma.

"It appeared she did try to exit the car, but the water pressure was just too much," City Manager Steve Saxon said.

Bystanders attempted to reach Curtis to help pull her from the car, but strong currents prevented a rescue.

Curtis' car was swept into flood waters as she tried to turn off U.S. Highway 377 in Seminole.

Water from a flooded creek carried the car for about 30 yards.

"It was tough," Saxon said. "It was extremely difficult to watch," he said. "We just couldn't get a visual contact with the car. Bystanders saw the car enter the water and tried to get close enough, but they never got closer than 50 yards from the car. They were wise enough to retreat. The current was just too strong."

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