A Norman police detective and his wife are believed to be among those missing and feared dead in the Arkansas River when the I-40 bridge collapsed early Sunday morning. Norman Police Chief Phil Cotten said Wayne Martin and his wife, Susan, left Sunday morning to attend a family reunion in Clarksville, Ark. They were driving a 2001 full-size Chevrolet pickup truck. When they didn’t arrive at the reunion and couldn’t be reached on their cell phone, family members believe they fell to their deaths in the Arkansas River.
Cotten said the couple’s two daughters haven’t been able to reach their parents on their cell phone and are waiting in Norman for news. Other relatives await any word at the Red Cross relief site in Webbers Falls.
“I understand the search has been suspended for the day,” Cotten said at approximately 4 p.m. Monday. “I understand they are bringing in larger equipment and sonar for the search,” A thunderstorm also hampered the recovery effort. According to reports, diving for the victims was to continue this morning.
Cotten said the entire Norman Police Department was stunned when they learned that the Martins might have perished in the bridge accident. “Wayne and Susan are active members of the First Baptist Church and he served as president of Kiwanis in 2001,” Cotten said. “He’s been with the Norman Police Department for 27 years and planned to retire next year.”
Relatives waiting at the Webbers Falls City Hall said they feared the couple fell to their deaths when the barge hit a bridge support Sunday morning. “He was my baby brother,” said Detective Martin’s sister Gwen Smith. “We have not had contact with them.”