The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a 62-year-old local man reported missing as of Wednesday after he is believed to have stayed in a cabin along the Driftwood River during this past weekend’s flooding.
Darrell Voelz was last known to be in a cabin along the east bank of the Driftwood River in the 5000 block of North County road 250W. The highest water in that area was believed to have reached 16.5 feet, well above flood stage, and inundating a scattering of old cabins and structures along the river.
On Sunday, the Bartholomew County Water Rescue Team responded to the area in regards to a welfare check on Voelz at 3:47 p.m. Friends reported that Voelz stayed behind Saturday as the flood waters continued to rise.
The caller who reported that Voelz had stayed at the cabin could not provide emergency personnel with an address, only describing the area. The rescue teams searched the area, including checking all residences, however they were unable to locate Voelz. A secondary search was conducted at 6:05 p.m., again not resulting in locating Voelz.
As of Wednesday, friends again contacted the sheriff’s office as they had not had contact with Voelz. Deputies performing an additional welfare check, located the cabin Voelz was staying that was revealed by receding flood waters. It appears the primitive riverside dwelling caught fire at some point during the flood incident, according to investigators. The dwelling is believed to have burned to the water level at that time, then was covered by the increasing flood water. At the time the water rescue searches were being conducted, the dwelling was covered with flood water.
At this time, the whereabouts of Voelz is unknown. The sheriff’s office is continuing to search the area. Sheriff Chris Lane said, “Our hope is that Mr. Voelz made it to safety. If anyone has any information or has had contact with Voelz since Sunday, please contact dispatch.”
Currently, volunteers are not needed in regards to the search. If anyone has any information as to the location of Voelz, contact the Bartholomew County Emergency Operations Center at (812) 379 – 1689.
