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Survivor of Deadly Iowa River Accident Speaks Out

By Daren Sukhram

Story Created: Jul 1, 2009 at 5:49 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 1, 2009 at 5:49 PM CDT

DES MOINES (AP) - The city parks department director says a steel safety cable that stretched across the Des Moines River near the Center Street Dam wasn't replaced after floods last year.

Director Don Tripp said Wednesday the cable wasn't available to a couple whose boat went over the dam Tuesday, drowning the husband, because of construction on a nearby pedestrian bridge.

Authorities say 62-year-old Alan Neely of Pleasant Hill died in the accident and 67-year-old Patricia Ralph-Neely was rescued.

In a statement Wednesday, Patricia Ralph-Neely thanked the construction worker and others who worked to rescue her from the river but added that while she is thankful to be alive, she "lost the love of my life."

Her husband's body was pulled from the water downstream.

Next article Convicted Iowa City Counselor Sentenced to up to 25 Years

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