Soldier’s body recovered

FORT SILL, Okla. (AP) – The body of a Fort Sill soldier whose vehicle was swept into Medicine Bluff Creek has been recovered.

According to a Fort Sill news release, the body of Staff Sgt. David Hawkins was recovered Thursday afternoon by Fort Sill firefighters and an Oklahoma Highway Patrol water rescue team.

The release says the 32-year-old was apparently attempting to drive across a low water crossing on Sunday when his vehicle was swept into the flooded creek. The car was recovered on Monday.

Soldiers at observation posts had spotted the Hawkins’ body floating in the river earlier in the week. An attempt was made to recover the body by helicopter, but was unsuccessful.