POLICE SAY 81-YEAR-OLD MAN DIED AFTER VEHICLE SLID INTO WATER
Authorities have identified the body of a man found inside his submerged vehicle in the Missouri River at Platte Landing Park in Parkville.
Kevin Chrisman, Parkville police chief, says the man’s body was inside the vehicle found in the water about 30-40 yards from the boat ramp at Platte Landing Park on Thursday, Oct. 24.
Authorities have identified the man as Felix Cruz, 81, of Wichita, Kan.
Chrisman said surveillance cameras show Cruz’s vehicle coming into Downtown Parkville about 4 a.m. on that day. He was pulled from the river at about 1 p.m.
“He was driving into town so slow, it appears he was lost. Downtown cameras spotted his car crossing the railroad tracks on Main Street, slow, not in a real big hurry,” the police chief said on Monday.
Chrisman said cameras inside the park show that his vehicle was going down the boat ramp when the backup lights came on, as Cruz put the car in reverse and tried to back up. But the tires on his front wheel drive kept spinning and the vehicle slid down into the water.
The man’s wife said Cruz had told her he was going to travel to Florida to see his sons. But family in Florida reported they had not heard from Cruz, Chrisman said.
Chrisman said a kayaker launched his kayak from the boat ramp at about 1 p.m. on Oct. 24 and soon saw the vehicle just beneath the surface of the water. The kayaker notified police, who then called in the South Platte Fire Department. Fire officials were able to walk out to the submerged car and found the male in the vehicle.
Chrisman said responders, not knowing how long the man had been submerged, started lifesaving measures and rushed him to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
