The Sumner County Sheriff’s Office has recovered the body of a Nebraska man whose vehicle was swept away by floodwaters Saturday afternoon south of Wellington.
Authorities identified the victim as 33-year-old Venkatesh Doppalaudi of Elkhorn, Nebraska.
Deputies were called to the 600 block of South Oliver Road after a witness reported seeing a vehicle enter the flooded roadway with the driver still inside. Strong floodwaters prevented Wellington Fire Department water rescue crews from entering the water, while a Kansas Highway Patrol helicopter and a police drone assisted in the search. Continue below ad.
After about four hours, conditions became too dangerous and the search was suspended until Sunday morning.
The victim’s body was located at about 12:20 Sunday afternoon, roughly a quarter-mile downstream from Oliver Road. The incident remains under investigation.
