Truck driver hauling gravel rescued after attempting to drive through flood waters in Oklahoma

A gravel truck driver required rescue after being swept away by floodwaters on Tuesday in Oklahoma.

The rescue took place on the afternoon of May 19, 2026, in McCurtain County, south of Smithville, Oklahoma.

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP), “a commercial motor vehicle loaded with gravel attempted to drive through floodwaters on private property. The truck was swept away and became entangled in trees.”

The truck driver was stranded by the floodwaters.

Multiple agencies from Broken Bow, Hochatown, and Smithville responded, and the truck driver was rescued.

No injuries were reported.

OHP used the incident as a remind of the dangers of driving into flood waters.

“It does not take much moving water to carry away a vehicle, even a semi-truck loaded with gravel. Beyond the danger of the current itself, drivers have no way of knowing whether the roadway beneath the water has been washed away or what hazards may be hidden below the surface, including debris or downed power lines. These situations also place rescue crews in significant danger as they work to save stranded motorists,” OHP said.