Missing doctor found dead in frozen pond

A doctor who had been missing for nearly a week in the storm-ravaged US has tragically been found dead near his home.

An American doctor who went missing last week has been found dead under the ice of a frozen pond five days after going missing from his nearby home.

Divers pulled the body of Bolek Payan, who worked at the Henry Ford Jackson Hospital, from the icy pond in Jackson County, Michigan, around 12.30pm on Tuesday (local time), The New York Post reports.

The body of Dr. Bolek Payan was found in a pond under the ice. Picture: Facebook/Blackman-Leoni Public Safety

It came after investigators retrieved security footage from the doctor’s home showing him leave the residence on foot Thursday afternoon, the Blackman-Leoni Township Department of Public Safety said.

Police dogs, drones and officers searched the woods around Dr Payan’s home before authorities cut holes in the ice covering the pond.

“Detectives believe Dr Payan would have been deceased, prior to when he was reported missing, due to the weather conditions on the day that he left his residence and the fact that he was in the water,” the department said.

Bolek Payan’s body was found near his Michigan home. Picture: YouTube / WLNS 6

“The Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office will be conducting an autopsy and toxicology testing, which will aid in further investigating this incident,” they added.

Dr Payan’s death came as the “blizzard of the century” claimed dozens of lives and caused travel chaos across the eastern and midwest United States.

The winter storm has killed at least 50 people, with at least 28 of those deaths occurring in Buffalo, upstate New York.

STORM ‘WORST IN 50 YEARS’

Buffalo — a city in Erie County that is no stranger to foul winter weather — is the epicentre of the crisis, buried under staggering amounts of snow.

Buffalo mayor Byron Brown told MSNBC “the historic storm was probably worse than this city has ever seen in 50 years”.

“Some people are saying, worse than this city has seen in history,” he added.

Anndel Taylor, 22, was one of the victims in what Governor Kathy Hochul described as “the blizzard of the century” after becoming trapped while driving home from work in Buffalo on Friday afternoon.

She shared a series of videos with her sisters in North Carolina — the last one just after midnight showing her rolling down her ice-covered window to show a nearby van also stuck with its emergency lights on.

“She was telling my sister that she was scared,” one of Ms Taylor’s sisters, Tomeshia Brown, told WSOC-TV.

Anndel Taylor, 22, died in the winter storm while travelling home from work and becoming trapped in her car. Picture: Facebook

A children's playground in Michigan amid the widespread freeze. Picture: Instagram

A GofundMe page set up to raise funds for Ms Taylor’s family, says she was “stuck in her car for hours/days which caused the snow to continue to build up on her car causing her to be unable to get out”.

Blizzard conditions persisted in parts of the northeastern US, the stubborn remnants of a sprawl of extreme weather that gripped the country over several days, causing widespread power outages, travel delays and deaths in nine states, according to official figures.

In New York state, authorities described ferocious conditions, particularly in Buffalo, with hours-long whiteouts, bodies being discovered in vehicles and under snow banks, and emergency personnel going “car to car” searching for survivors.

The Ohio River is seen in Louisville, Kentucky, under freezing temperatures on December 23, 2022. Picture: Leandro Lozada / AFP.

A transport truck drives along Highway 401 in London, Ontario, Canada, during a large winter storm on Friday, December 23, 2022. Picture: by Geoff Robins / AFP.

The perfect storm of fierce snow squalls, howling wind and sub-zero temperatures forced the cancellation of more than 15,000 US flights in recent days, including nearly 4,000 on Monday, according to tracking site Flightaware.com.

Ms Hochul said some western New York towns got walloped with “30 to 40 inches (0.75 to one metre) of snow overnight.”

The arctic blast also has snarled holiday travel, with more than 2,900 flights within, into or out of the US cancelled Tuesday, according to tracking site FlightAware. Of those, some 2,500 are operated by Southwest, whose pilots union chief Tuesday blamed the nixed trips on the storm and outdated IT infrastructure for scheduling software.

Later Monday, Ms Hochul spoke with US President Joe Biden, who offered “the full force of the federal government” to support New York state, and said he and First Lady Jill Biden were praying for those who lost loved ones in the storm, according to a White House statement.

Mr Biden also approved an emergency declaration for the state, according to the White House.

“Temperatures are expected to moderate across the Midwest and the East over the next few days ahead of this system,” the National Weather Service said in its latest advisory early on Tuesday, but warned that “locally hazardous travel conditions” would persist.

DEATH TOLL SOARS IN AMERICA’S BIG FREEZE

The death toll from horrific winter storms that blasted across America has risen with at least 29 dead just in New York State on Monday, according to the New York Times.

Authorities in Western New York said the state has experienced one of the worst weather related disasters in its history, with dead residents being found frozen in their cars, homes, or submerged in snow drifts. Others had cardiac arrests or medical emergencies and died because help could not reach them.

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Buffalo said more snow was coming.

The devastating blizzards, which blanketed America on Christmas Eve and over the weekend, have caused at least 48 deaths nationwide.

Extreme #blizzard stranding motorists Downtown Buffalo. Family here stranded 7 hours a block from shelter. @bclemms and I escorted to shelter. Seems like survival situations playing out a block or two away in whiteout. Worst blizzard I have ever covered pic.twitter.com/ZvnBR9KeX7

— Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerAccu) December 24, 2022

Shocking video is circulating online that shows people laughing at the body of a man frozen to death identified as William Clay, who was found lying face down in the snow at a cross street in Eerie County, New York.

Disturbing video of the frozen body began to circulate online after it was discovered early Saturday morning, local television reported.

Clay’s sister Sophie Clay posted on Facebook early Saturday morning that her brother was missing, adding that he regularly frequented the nearby 7 Eleven.

William Clay was found frozen to death.

Hours later, she revealed he was found dead and set up a GoFundMe to cover his funeral expenses.

“I am the sister of the gentleman that lost his life during the 2022 Blizzard on 12/24/2022,” she wrote on the fundraising page.

“My brother unexpectedly lost his life on his Birthday,” she added.

The horrific situation was made worse of video of people laughing at Mr Clay, who was found laying face down in the snow.

A car is enveloped by snow as storms caused havoc across the US. Picture: Reuters

The storm continues to affect more than half the country bringing misery and danger to millions of Americans on Christmas Day and has already killed 28 people nationwide.

As intense snow and frigid cold gripped parts of the eastern United States, the number of weather-related deaths is expected to rise as authorities reach areas that are blocked by large snowfalls.

The age of the victims ranged from 26 to 93.

A crisis situation was unfolding in Buffalo, in western New York, where a blizzard has left the city marooned, with emergency services unable to reach high impact areas.

The Buffalo storm is “a crisis of epic proportion” and “the worst of the worst,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a native of Buffalo, where 2.4m snow drifts pile up against front doors and power outages in freezing temperatures have made for life-threatening conditions.

Snow drifts have trapped people in their homes and cars. Picture: Instagram

Some 60 per cent of the US population was under a winter weather advisory or warning this weekend and much of the eastern half of the country was grappling with temperatures that were far below normal.

In Western New York, snow was falling at a rate of three inches per hour and a driving ban was in effect in Erie County Sunday morning, according to The New York Post.

The New York Times reported that at least seven people had died in the snowstorm that buried parts of Western New York in snow as the region experienced blizzard conditions and white outs that were exacerbated by wind gusts creating “zero visibility,” according to the National Weather Service.

Extreme Meteorologist @ReedTimmerAccu reports from the snow drifts in #Buffalo, New York, as he searches for people in need of assistance who may be trapped in their cars. #BuffaloStorm2022pic.twitter.com/LHMciuFHAe

— AccuWeather (@accuweather) December 25, 2022

At least 28 weather-related deaths have been confirmed across eight states as heavy snow, howling winds and dangerously frigid temperatures kept much of the nation, including the normally temperate south, in a frozen grip for a fourth straight day. More than 200,000 people across several eastern states woke up without power on Christmas morning and many more had their holiday travel plans up-ended, although the five-day-long storm featuring blizzard conditions and ferocious winds showed signs of easing.

The extreme weather sent wind chill temperatures in all 48 contiguous US states below freezing over the weekend, stranded holiday travellers with thousands of flights cancelled and trapped residents in ice- and snow-encrusted homes.

cars move along a highway in Louisville, Kentucky, under freezing temperatures on December 23. Picture: Leandro Lozada/AFP

While large swathes of the country have begun shovelling out from the massive storm and temperatures in some locations were returning to seasonal normality, Buffalo remained in the grips of “a major disaster,” a senior official said Sunday.

“We do have seven confirmed deaths at this point as a result of the storm in Erie County. There may be more,” county executive Mark Poloncarz told reporters.

He described ferocious conditions, with hours-long white-outs and bodies discovered in vehicles and under snow banks — and emergency personnel going “car to car” searching for more bodies or for trapped motorists.

The New York Post reported a Buffalo man was found frozen, face down in the snow after he tried to walk to a convenience store in the storm.

Late on Saturday, the National Weather Service warned that blizzard conditions in the Great Lakes region caused by lake-effect snow would continue into Christmas Day, and that there would be “only slow moderation of temperatures into Monday”.

The “bomb cyclone” winter storm, one of the fiercest in decades, had already forced the cancellation of over 3,300 US flights on Saturday and the delay of nearly 7,500 more, a day after nearly 6,000 were scrapped, according to tracking website Flightaware.com.

A family huddled together, moves quickly to their car, to get out of the frigid cold from a massive winter storm affecting most of the USA., in Flint, Michigan. Picture: Getty Images

The city’s international airport remains closed until Tuesday. Governor Hochul deployed some 200 National Guard members to help with rescues in and around Buffalo.

“It is extreme, it is dangerous and deadly,” she told CNN, noting that even National Guard units were getting trapped and requiring rescue.

‘CONDITIONS ARE SO BAD’

The National Weather Service warned that blizzard conditions in western New York’s Great Lakes region caused by lake-effect snow was continuing Sunday, with “additional snow accumulations of 2 to 3 feet through tonight.”

One couple in Buffalo, across the border from Canada, told AFP Saturday that with the roads completely impassible, they would not be making a 10-minute drive to see their family for Christmas.

“It’s tough because the conditions are just so bad … a lot of fire departments aren’t even sending out trucks for calls,” said 40-year-old Rebecca Bortolin.

A broader travel nightmare was in full effect for millions.

A row of tents is seen at The Hope Village, a secure tent encampment established for homeless people, on Christmas Eve in Louisville, Kentucky. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg tweeted Saturday that “the most extreme disruptions are behind us as airline and airport operations gradually recover.”

But travellers remained stranded or delayed at airports including in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Detroit and New York.

Road ice and white-out conditions also led to the temporary closure of some of the nation’s busiest transport routes, including the cross-country Interstate 70.

Drivers were being warned not to take to the roads — even as the nation reached what is usually its busiest time of year for travel.

The aftermath of a massive accident in Ohio as snow storms created havoc across the US. Picture: Twitter

The extreme weather has severely taxed electricity grids, with multiple power providers urging millions of people to reduce usage to minimise rolling blackouts in places like North Carolina and Tennessee.

At one point on Saturday, nearly 1.7 million customers were without electricity in the biting cold, according to tracker poweroutage.us.

The figure dropped substantially by Sunday, although some 180,000 customers in eastern states still lacked power.

In Canada, hundreds of thousands were left without power in Ontario and Quebec, many flights were cancelled in major cities and train passenger service between Toronto and Ottawa was suspended.

A transport truck navigates the elements in, Ontario, Canada. Picture: AFP

In Chicago, Burke Patten of Night Ministry, a non-profit dedicated to helping the homeless, said: “We’ve been handing out cold weather gear, including coats, hats, gloves, thermal underwear, blankets and sleeping bags, along with hand and foot warmers.”

Weather officials forecast that dangerously cold conditions would continue throughout the central and eastern United States over the weekend before temperatures returned to more normal weather next week.

Transportation departments in several “plains states” reported near-zero visibility white-outs, ice-covered roads and blizzard conditions, and strongly urged residents to stay home.

Drivers were being warned not to take to the roads - even as the nation reached what is usually its busiest time of year for travel.

Wild weather and winter storms have lashed the US. Picture: Twitter

Three people died in weather-related crashes in Oklahoma, while another three were killed on icy roads in Kentucky, Fox Weather reported.

The Ohio River is seen in Louisville, Kentucky, under freezing temperatures. Picture: AFP

Another person was killed after their vehicle overturned in Missouri, and a person in Texas died after prolonged exposure to the frigid temperatures.

In Ohio, at least four people were killed and several others were injured in a massive, 50-car pileup Friday amid treacherous “white-out conditions,” the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.

Ultimately “approximately 50 vehicles [were] involved,” OSHP Sgt. Ryan Purpura said in a video statement.

The identities of the victims have not been released. The exact number of injuries is unknown.

Purpura said drivers were experiencing “white-out conditions” on the road amid heavy winds and snow.

Four people were killed in a 50-car pileup in Ohio has winter storms lashed the US. Picture: Twitter

In hard-hit New York State, Governor Kathy Hochul deployed the National Guard to Erie County and its main city Buffalo, where authorities said emergency services have essentially collapsed in the face of extreme blizzard conditions.

“There are still likely hundreds of people still stuck in vehicles,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said early Saturday, adding that the National Guard was being sent “right into the city of Buffalo for these life-threatening rescues.”

Road ice and white-out conditions also led to the closure of some of the nation’s busiest transport routes, including the cross-country Interstate 70, parts of which were temporarily shut down in Colorado and Kansas.

A Detroit resident braves the frigid temperatures. Picture: AFP

White-outs affected much of the country. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

The National Weather Service warned about lethal conditions and urged residents in affected areas to remain indoors. On Friday, it said wind chills had sent temperatures plunging to -48 Celsius.

The biting cold is an immediate concern for the roughly one million electricity customers who were still without power on Saturday local time, according to tracker poweroutage.us.

Some cities, including in the state of North Carolina, began implementing rolling blackouts due to high power demand, in some cases leaving people unable to safely heat their homes.

The weather caused havoc for Christmas travellers. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

DEATHS, INJURIES IN CANADA

More than 50 people have been hospitalised in western Canada after a passenger bus crashed on a highway, provincial authorities said.

The cause of the Saturday evening accident, which occurred on a highway some 330 kilometres east of Vancouver in an area of British Columbia hit by days of bad winter weather, has yet to be provided.

British Columbia Premier David Eby said he was “shocked and saddened” by the news.

“Our thoughts are with those impacted by the crash, their loved ones, and the first responders and health-care workers giving their all to treat people and keep them safe,” he said in a statement.

Regional health authority Interior Health tweeted 53 patients were being treated at three hospitals but said it could not yet give details on patient conditions.

A portion of the highway impacted by the crash was closed into Sunday morning, provincial transportation authorities tweeted.

The accident occurred as brutal weather has battered wide swathes of North America, snarling transport and causing numerous deadly accidents during one of the busiest travel periods of the year ahead of Christmas and New Year holidays.

– with AFP