By Courtney D. Clark
Register-Herald Reporter
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Search and rescue crews have recovered the body of a Kanawha County firefighter who was swept into floodwaters March 13 during a swift water rescue mission in Beaver.
After a seven-day search, the body of 32-year-old Donald Adkins was located just before 12:50 p.m. Friday, according to Reed Cook, deputy state fire marshal.
“One of the search crews discovered the body of the missing firefighter approximately 4 to 5 miles from where he went in last Saturday,” Cook said Friday.
“We had three crews out and pulled the teams together to try to expedite the recovery.”
Just a few short hours after locating Adkins, rescuers recovered his body and paid respects to the fallen firefighter at the YMCA Youth Sports Complex in Beckley.
The complex has served as a command post for numerous agencies participating in the search effort, and on the final day of the mission, rescuers stood somber and silent in Adkins’ honor.
Draped with an American flag, the body of the firefighter was transported through lines of individuals dedicated and determined to see his rescue.
“From the time that he was found, there wasn’t a single person that left here,” Cook added.
“The flag was signed by almost every person that participated in the search for Adkins. It’s a way of showing respect for the firefighter and his family.”
Though Adkins was a member of the Glasgow Volunteer Fire Department, he died rescuing citizens stranded by floodwaters in Raleigh County.
Gov. Joe Manchin issued a statement following his recovery.
“I want to commend the dedication of our first responders who always answer the call for help and who have been working day and night since severe flooding struck southern West Virginia last week,” Manchin said Friday.
“We lost one of those brave first responders when Donnie Adkins, from the Glasgow Volunteer Fire Department, was swept away by floodwaters.
“He lost his life while working to help others,” said Manchin. “My thoughts and prayers are with Donnie’s family and friends at this difficult time, and I know all West Virginians are thinking of them.”
Manchin says he would like to thank the firefighters, rescue workers, emergency personnel and volunteers from across the state and other states who joined in the search for Adkins.
Larry Rice, chief of the Beaver Volunteer Fire Department, says it is a sad day for the fire service and EMS field, but he is also thankful for the support received from at least seven West Virginia counties.
“I just want to thank everybody that’s been out here for everything they’ve done,” said Rice. “I appreciate all of these departments that have come in and helped us.
“It’s a great loss,” he continued. “I’m just glad we found him and brought him home.”
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While teams began to tear down the camp set up at the YMCA complex, efforts to pick up the pieces from last weekend’s flooding continued.
“We really appreciate all the support for the fireman,” said Marty Agee, deputy director of the Raleigh County Emergency Operations Center. “Our heart goes out to his family.”
Agee says the massive flood debris pickup in Beaver will continue through part of today, and then the National Guard troops from the Charleston-based 130th Airlift Wing will move on to Sullivan.
“Quite a bit more debris came out today from the residents down there,” Agee said Friday.
“The Guard troops say they’ll be down in Mabscott next, but other than that, we’re just working with the communities trying to help them get situated.”
Client case workers with the Central WV Chapter of the American Red Cross are also heading out into flood-affected areas to meet individually with families who were affected by high water.
Residents in Raleigh, Fayette, Greenbrier, Kanawha and Mercer counties who lost critical belongings such as clothing, food, baby items and bedding will be contacted by caseworkers in the next several days to determine their recovery needs and to provide financial assistance to those who qualify.
Financial assistance will be available to help purchase these items, along with help with rent and deposits for those who are unable to live in their homes after last weekend’s destructive flooding.
Those wishing to help these families through the work of the Red Cross can make a secure, online donation at www.cwv-redcross.org, and designate their gift to the local flood relief effort.
— E-mail: cclark@registerherald.com
