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Hurricane Dennis
Three die in SUV that flips into flooded ditch
Associated Press
Published July 12, 2005
PUNTA GORDA - The bodies of three Cape Coral residents were found in a sport utility vehicle submerged in a ditch that authorities say was flooded by heavy rain from Hurricane Dennis.
The 1998 Ford Expedition was found upside down in the ditch on State Road 74 east of Punta Gorda about 11:30 p.m. Sunday, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
The victims were John Paul and Carolyn Paul, both 53, and Carolyn Paul's mother, Mary Papst, 83. They were returning home from a trip to the state's east coast, FHP spokesman Lt. Doug Dodson said.
The car hydroplaned on the wet road, went out of control and overturned into the ditch, Dodson said. The victims, who apparently drowned, were found still belted into their seats, he said.
Sheriff's spokesman Bob Carpenter said the two-lane road often floods during heavy rains, and several other accidents occurred on that stretch during the weekend due to standing water. A semitrailer truck went off the road Saturday, he said.
Warning signs were in place before Sunday's accident.
[Last modified July 12, 2005, 05:01:02]
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