(COLUMBUS, Neb.) — On April 17, 2024, the Platte County Sheriff’s Office, with members of the Platte County Dive and Rescue Team, coordinated with the Loup Public Power District the recovery of a vehicle from the Loup Canal where it intersects with Highway 30, east of Columbus.
On August 15, 2023, the Sheriff’s Office responded to the Loup Public Power Tailrace Park regarding a drowning. During the subsequent investigation, the individual recovered from the water had been identified as Hector Morales-Ajanel, 23, from Schuyler. The investigation also led to the search of the Loup Canal from the area of Tailrace Park to Highway 30 by the Dive and Rescue Team, with the assistance of members from Nebraska Game and Parks.
As a result of that search, a vehicle was located in the Loup Canal, approximately 150 ft. south of the Highway 30 bridge. The investigation and the vehicle’s location led the Sheriff’s Office to believe that the vehicle may have been driven into the canal by Mr. Morales-Ajanel. Initial attempts to retrieve the vehicle proved unsuccessful due to the swift currents. With no indications that the vehicle had any other occupants at the time it entered the water, aside from Mr. Morales-Ajanel, arrangements were made with Loup Public Power to return on a date and time when the water level would be lower and thus safer for those attempting to retrieve the vehicle.
On April 17, 2024, with the water level lowered and a much slower current, the conditions were safer to attempt once again to remove the vehicle from the canal. This attempt was successful.
After the Sheriff’s Office was able to recover and verify that the vehicle was the vehicle believed to have been driven by Mr. Morales-Ajanel, the Sheriff’s Office, was able to notify the family of the recovery of the vehicle.
All evidence indicates that this was an automobile crash.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Platte County Sheriff’s Office at 402-564-3229 or Platte County Area Crime Stoppers at 402-563-4000.
Platte County Sheriff’s Office Press Release
Offense / Incident: Vehicle Recovery
Date / Time: April 18, 2024 / 12:00 PM
Location of Occurrence: Hwy 30 – Canal Bridge
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