South Carolina Rescue News 
The Search of the Pee Dee

By Mary Tisdale - Reporter for Pamplico Rescue Squad

The search for Donnie Ray Carroway, 34 years old, of Pamplico, SC is continuing into the second week. Saturday afternoon around 1:00, Feb  28, 1970, the Pamplico Fire and Rescue Squad answered the call. That has gone into not only days, now, but weeks. For the search for the body of Carroway. Within minutes, the boats were on the scene, where the young man was last seen.

The boating mishap occurred while Donnie Ray Carroway and Bobby Isgette were fishing in mid-stream of the dark, deep, cold waters of the Pee Dee River. Bobby Isgette, only 14 years old, and also from Pamplico, was able to swim to safety on the banks of the river. Bobby told officers of the Florence County Sheriff's Dept. that Carroway just disappeared  in the dark, deep, cold waters of the mighty Pee Dee. He said that the last time that he saw  Carroway, he still seemed to be out about mid-stream.

C. G. "Tom" Haines of the Pamplico Fire and Rescue Squad ,  called on the other Squads for help, as he saw that. This was a mission that the Pamplico Squad could use all the assistance that it could possibly get to aid in the search. As the call went out, many of the squads answered. One of the first to offer their assistance was the boys of Lake Robinson. They sent members ;  of their Squad and equipment to aid in the search of Carroway. Hartsville, Darlington, Timmonsville, Scranton, Lake City and Johnsonville sent members and equipment also to the Pee Dee River.

As the Rescue Squads came, they started in the search. The Florence County Sheriff Dept. had some of their men to join in the search. But as shades of night seem to haze across the sky, calling the ending of  another day, the Squads started to come in, each one to resume in the search on Sunday for Donnie Ray Carroway in the dark, deep, cold waters of the mighty Pee Dee River.

For many members of the Pamplico Fire and Rescue Squad, it was rise and shine up and going at 5:00. The equipment had to be checked and preparation for all necessity that may be used later on in the day.

The Pamplico Police Dept. was out very early with pots as Pamplico Police Chief John A. Shupe and W. M. Tisdale had the coffee pot on the road down to the river for the men that were out in the search of Carroway..

Fire Chief Tommy Hicks was busy as any housewife on Sunday. As he went about fixing dinner. The Pamplico Fire and Rescue had on their men for. Sunday dinner: chicken and rice, fried chicken, cole slaw, hot biscuits, tea and coffee. But where was the dessert? Did Chief Hicks forget? But, thanks to the Ladies Auxiliary of The Church they came in with the cake and pie. And many of the Ladies made sandwiches of all kinds. As the week ends, it must start again. So, many of the Squads , had to return to get ready for the work day on Monday. But, some of the Squads stayed to continue in the search of the dark, deep, cold waters of the mighty swift Pee Dee, as she still holds her capture a secret. For somewhere out there, the body of Donnie Ray Carroway is still to be found. The search will continue until the body is found.