LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A cab driver who drowned after he became trapped in high water in Louisville has been identified.
The man was 40-year-old Abdinasir Siyat, according to Deputy Coroner Charles Edelen.
According to LMPD spokesperson Alicia Smiley, Second Division officers responded Saturday just before 11 p.m. on a call about a reported drowning.
Witnesses say the driver of a Yellow Cab was going west toward a railroad underpass at 13th and West Oak Streets. Police say the cab got stuck in high water and flooded, which stopped the engine.
Siyat was not able to escape and when emergency crews arrived, the cab was completely submerged in water.
Authorities say he was removed from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
Yellow Cab issued the following statement:
"The Yellow Cab family is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our good friends and drivers. We ask for your thoughts and prayers for his family and for the entire Somalian community as we grieve with this horrific tragedy."
MSD also released a statement of condolences for Siyat:
Mr. Siyat’s accident is a tragedy and our thoughts are with his family, friends and community.
MSD inspects the storm drains in the viaduct in Oak Street at 13th Street on a monthly basis. These storm drains were last inspected on August 8, 2018, and were not in need of any repairs.
The nearest rain gauges to this area show that between 3.9 and 4.1 inches of rain fell over the course of a day and a half. It is important for the public to take precautions around flood waters as intense rain events can very quickly inundate an area.
Related Stories:
Copyright 2018 WDRB News. All rights reserved.
