MAN FEARED DROWNED IN FLASH FLOOD

PERRYVILLE -- Gathered on the banks of Saline Creek late Monday, family members of Dusty Wampler said he loved to hunt but was afraid of water.

The Ste. Genevieve County man was presumed dead after being swept away Monday morning in the fast-rising waters of Saline Creek about seven miles west of Perryville while on a turkey hunting trip with a friend, Randy Wilson.

Wampler, 31, was riding in a Jeep on County Road 710 about 4:30 a.m. when he and Wilson tried to cross Saline Creek on a low-water bridge. The rising water forced Wampler and Wilson from their vehicle.

Wilson, also of Ste. Genevieve County, swam the 15 feet to shore but Wampler was swept away in the fast-moving current.

As many as 40 people, including Perry County Sheriff's Department personnel, area firefighters and volunteers combed the creek banks for more than 12 hours Monday looking for Wampler's body.

Perry County Sheriff Gary Schaaf called off search efforts about 6 p.m. because scattered rain prevent the creek from falling. By late afternoon, the vehicle, which was still in the middle of the creek, was submerged in about four feet of fast-moving water.

"We can't get a boat in there because you couldn't navigate," Schaaf said, "But everyone -- even the family -- has been walking about two miles along the creek."

Schaaf said searchers took advantage of three St. Louis television helicopters that were sent to cover the accident but were unable to spot any signs of the missing man.

Saline Creek, which is usually quiet, quickly rose Monday morning because of 4 inches of rain that fell in a short period, Schaaf said.

About a dozen members of Wampler's family were gathered near the bridge for much of the afternoon watching as searchers emerged from down river and gave their progress reports.

"This will be devastating to the family," said Wampler's cousin, Mona Coyle. "Dusty was the happy one: He always had a smile on his face and would laugh when no one else could."

Another cousin, Lisa Snyder, said Wampler enjoyed hunting even when he didn't bag anything. "He just enjoyed being in the woods," she said.

Many of the family members said they will return to the creek bank at morning's first light to resume the search.