Your #1 is not correct and wasn't reported that way, of the articles I saw. The DOT worker just happened to be working close to what turned out to be the scene of the accident.
The DOT worker was making bridge repairs elsewhere and saw the luggage floating in the creek, then reported that. He/she was not there looking for the accident or doing any investigating.
Hi R6,
I understand #1 is incorrect...thanks for adding clarification. I was just relaying some of things floating around. The person had posted a report that they family hired a plane, etc...