| By Bob Weaver
Workers reach roadway with accident victim
A Calhoun man Lowell Bunch was injured Thursday morning when his car
plunged over a steep "up and down" hillside at Russett, his vehicle landing
on its top in Steer Creek, according to Deputy Sheriff Carl Ballengee.
Bunch managed to swim from his partially submerged vehicle, crawling to
the bank. He was taken to Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center by Calhoun
EMS, the extent of his injuries unknown.
Bunch managed to get to shore (shown next to boat)
The Bunch vehicle was traveling from Grantsville when it struck a car
driven by Melissa Lamp, 17, of Russett. Bunch's Chevy Lumina then left the
highway, crashing over the treacherous road bank.
Lamp, a student at Calhoun High School, was backing onto the highway in
front of the Herb Morrell residence. She was taken to Minnie Hamilton
Health Care Center for evaluation.
Herb Morrell and Millard Nichols managed to reach the man, covering him
with their coats. "He was extremely cold," said Herb Morrell. "We did what
we could for him until the ambulance arrived."
The Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department lowered a rescue basket by rope
to the victim, where EMS personnel prepared him for transportation. He was
placed in a boat and floated up Streer Creek to an area where he could more
readily be lifted to the main highway.
Temperatures were hovering about twenty degrees when the 7:40 a.m.
accident happened. Emergency personnel responded quickly to the
scene.
Traffic was closed for over an hour on the Russett Road between the old
Levering Store and the junction of Sycamore Road. The area is plagued with
a very narrow highway, steep drop-offs and curves.
Hillside to left is straight up and down
Victim was taken up Steer Creek for better removal
VFD prepares to lower rescue equipment
Spectators view scene, where Steer Creek
empties into Little Kanawha
River
Volunteers help pull basket up steep hill | 
