On Wednesday August 2, 2023, Red River Fire District was dispatched to the report of a one-vehicle motor vehicle crash on Highway 71 South near Highway 784. The vehicle was reported on fire, with the driver out  of the vehicle.

When units from the Red River Fire District arrived at the scene they found an overturned box truck fully involved.  There was also a downed power pole and lines.

The fire was extinguished by Fire personnel.  SWEPCO was notified. Crews were called to restore power.

The wreck occurred about 8:00 am Wednesday morning.  The downed power lines cut power to much of the area along US 71 up into Coushatta.  Power was restored to SWEPCO customers during Wednesday afternoon.

Also Wednesday morning, another leak developed in the city water system reported as near Dairy Queen on US 71 north.  The leak is one of many that have occurred while workers are replacing the entire town’s water system.

The water system lost pressure for a time.  That prompted a boil advisory to be issued for the entire town water system and forcing school officials to send the children home early due to lack of water at the campuses in town.  As of late Thursday, the boil advisory is still in effect.

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