UPDATE: Storm fatality victim identified

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This is the car believed to have been in the fatal accident that happened last night on rain- and snow-slicked roads in Somerset County. Eric Knopsnyder

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October 30, 2012

UPDATE: Storm fatality victim identified

Arlene Johns ajohns@tribdem.com The Tribune-Democrat Tue Oct 30, 2012, 03:18 PM EDT

SOMERSET — An 81-year-old Massachusetts woman died Monday evening following a Somerset County traffic crash blamed on Superstorm Sandy.

Alice Hynes of Williamstown, Mass., died after the car she was riding in crashed into a pond, Somerset County Coroner Wallace Miller said.

According to state police at Somerset, 51-year-old Abigail O'Connor of Confluence was traveling southbound on Kingwood Road in Upper Turkeyfoot Township when she "lost control of the vehicle on snow/slush covered roads, due to the ongoing storm."

The 2011 Honda CRV crossed the double yellow line, traveled across the northbound lane and then rolled over into a farm pond on the east side of state route 281.

Both women were trapped inside the vehicle.

O'Connor was unhurt and was able to free herself. She attempted to free Hynes, who was trapped under the water, but was unable to do so.

New Centerville Volunteer Fire Dept. removed Hynes from the vehicle and she was transported to Somerset Hospital where she was declared dead.

Both women were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident, which was reported at 9:36 p.m.

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