SEYMOUR — A tragic multi-day search concluded Sunday afternoon as Indiana Conservation Officers recovered the body of a Seymour man who disappeared while attempting to rescue others from historic flooding.
The victim has been identified as Bradley Deaton, 55. His body was located and recovered by authorities at 2:22 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, ending a search that had captivated the region since Friday morning.
The emergency began at approximately 7:20 a.m. on Friday, March 6, east of Cortland near County Road 400 E and State Road 258.
According to the initial investigation by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Deaton and another man were operating an airboat, attempting to reach people stranded in a submerged vehicle.
The airboat suffered sudden mechanical issues and was swept by the swift current under a nearby bridge, where it capsized.
The boat’s operator was able to self-rescue and reach safety. Deaton, who was a passenger, was swept downstream and was not seen again until Sunday.
Conservation Officers confirmed that neither individual was wearing a life jacket or had one available at the time the vessel overturned. Officials emphasized that even for experienced boaters, the current conditions—marked by extreme debris and “swift, rough” water- create hazards that can overwhelm safety equipment and specialized watercraft.
The search for Deaton involved a massive inter-agency effort during a week of “major flooding” that saw 70% of the Jackson County floodplain underwater.
Local residents, many of whom had been tracking the search from the edges of closed highways, described Deaton as a man who embodied the helpful spirit of the community. “Everybody’s here to lend a hand,” one neighbor noted during the search. “It’s very unfortunate that this happened while he was trying to do the right thing.”
The recovery was the result of a coordinated effort between several regional departments:
- Indiana Conservation Officers (DNR)
- Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
- Jackson County EMS
- Hamilton Township Volunteer Fire Department
Funeral arrangements for Mr. Deaton have not yet been announced.
