In a somber update at a press conference late Monday afternoon, officials provided details on the five people killed in Saturday evening’s devastating flash flood that struck the area.
Bucks County Coroner Meredith Buck’s office managed to identify the five victims who lost their lives due to the flash flooding of Houghs Creek along Washington Crossing Road (Route 532) in Upper Makefield Township.
The victims have been identified as Enzo Depiero, a 78-year-old man from Newtown Township; Susan Barnhart, a 53-year-old woman from Titusville, New Jersey; Katheryn “Katie” Seley, a 32-year-old woman from Charleston, South Carolina; Yuko Love, a 64-year-old woman from Newtown Township; and Linda Depiero, a 74-year-old woman from Newtown Township.
According to Buck, all five victims’ autopsies were conducted Monday to ascertain the cause and manner of their deaths. The findings revealed that each of the victims succumbed to drowning as a direct result of the flash flood’s relentless force.
The coroner’s office has officially classified all deaths as accidental due to their weather-related nature.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
The still-missing children were identified earlier Monday by police as Matilda (Mattie) Sheils, 2, and Conrad Sheils, 9 months. The childrens’ mother was Seley.
Jim Sheils, the father of the kids and partner to Seley, survived, along with Seley’s 4-year-old son and Seley’s mother, who was swept away but later rescued.
Credit: Submitted
RELATED: Police Release Names & Photos Of Family Swept Away In Flooding
The family, who were from Charleston, South Carolina, was in Bucks County for a BBQ and became trapped along Washington Crossing Road (Route 532) in Upper Makefield Township as flash flooding quickly surrounded them.
Scott Ellis, the brother-in-law of Sheils spoke to reporters. He thanked rescuers for their bravery and compassion.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
“As you can imagine, we are utterly devastated by the loss our family has suffered,” Ellis said.
Ellis, with emotion in his voice, said the family was praying for the return of Mattie and Conrad.
Upper Makefield Township Volunteer Fire Company Chief Tim Brewer said the family of the missing children and Seley have been supportive of their efforts at the scene.
Crews from around Pennsylvania and New Jersey continued an intense search for the two missing kids.
“These people did not drive into high water. They were caught. This was a flash flood, and the meaning of a flash flood. Every one of these people were caught. The wall of water came to them,” Brewer told reporters.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
Buck expressed her heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased, acknowledging the pain and grief they must be experiencing.
“We extend our deepest condolences to all the victims’ families and friends during this extremely difficult time. It is a sad time for these families, this community, and all of Bucks County as all efforts are focused on finding the missing children,” Buck said.
Publisher Tom Sofield contributed to this article.
