The Butler County Coroner's Office has confirmed the identity of a man who tragically lost his life after his car plunged into the Great Miami River. 57-year-old Damien Varner, originally from Hamilton, was the lamentable individual who drowned in the incident that occurred earlier this week. Officials found his vehicle submerged and entrapped by ice during an investigation following his disappearance.
Responding to a missing person report lodged on Monday, Hamilton police employed GPS to pinpoint the last known location of Varner's vehicle. According to FOX19, Detective Jeff Benge was led to the frigid banks of the Great Miami River, where he discovered the vehicle concealed beneath the ice. Butler County's emergency teams and divers responded Tuesday afternoon at approximately 3:45 p.m., just south of the Columbia Bridge.
An underwater drone was crucial in ascertaining Varner's presence inside the sunken vehicle. The sheriff's office's Emergency Response Team utilized the technology for this purpose, providing a clearer visual despite the challenging frozen river conditions, as noted in a statement obtained by WLWT. Upon their discovery, the use of an ERS Ice Rescue Boat facilitated the retrieval of Varner's body, which was sadly confirmed deceased upon recovery.
The circumstances leading up to the vehicle's descent into the river remain unclear; investigators have not yet reported on what may have caused the tragic incident. However, the cause of death has been ruled as accidental drowning by the coroner's office. Expressing condolences, Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones was quoted stating, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim’s family.” This sentiment reflected the somber mood as the community grapples with the sudden loss, according to a statement collected from WLWT. The unfortunate event is a grim reminder of the unforeseen dangers lurking in our daily environments.
