Two Branson drowning victims ID'd; search continues for third person

Two bodies have been recovered and the search continues for a third person after their vehicle was overtaken by flash flooding Saturday night in Branson.

Don Gregory with the Branson Fire Department said there were five people in the vehicle, but two were able to escape safely. 

The vehicle was overtaken by the rapidly rising Fall Creek near the Jupiter Road and Fall Creek Road intersection, Gregory said.

According to a news release, the body of Antonio Finley, 37 of Nashville, Arkansas, was found along Fall Creek Road near Cooper Creek Resort in Branson around 2 a.m. Sunday.

The body of a female, Kaliea Munn, 17, also of Nashville, Arkansas, was located
and recovered at 7:48 a.m. Sunday near the Cooper Creek public access area on Lake Taneycomo. Munn's body was found by Branson Police and Fire Rescue personnel, assisted by Western Taney County Fire Protection District.

"An intense and ongoing search continues throughout available daylight hours to locate the driver of the vehicle, Ms. Whitney McDonald, age 31 of Nashville, Arkansas," the release said.

Late Sunday, city of Branson spokeswoman Jennifer Langford said the search continued until dark and will resume at first light Monday. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is bringing in two to three dogs to assist.

The three individuals were visiting Branson in affiliation with the HoopsPlay Basketball Tournaments being held at several different facilities throughout the community. Members of the First Providence Outreach Ministry coordinated their church retreat to coincide with the tournaments, in which some church members were playing.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victims of this tragedy,”  Branson Police Chief Stan Dobbins said in the release. “We are currently working with the families of these individuals to help bring as much comfort to them as possible during this time and appreciate those who have extended lodging, meals and other tokens of kindness to our visitors.”

Due to the rise of Lake Taneycomo on Saturday night, about 12 recreational vehicles were stranded by high waters at the City Lakeside RV Campground near the Branson Landing, Gregory said.

All of the campers were rescued and are safe, he said.