DRUMHELLER, Alta. — The floods plaguing southern and central Alberta have claimed the life of a professional truck driver – the first casualty directly attributed to what’s being called the “Flood of 200 Years.”

Witnesses are reportedly calling the deceased driver a hero while local police wait for water levels in the Red Deer River to subside before recovering his body, which is still trapped inside the cab of his truck. Police are blaming rubberneckers for his unnecessary death.

An unidentified truck driver is presumed drowned after his truck plunged into the Red Deer River Monday night near this Alberta town. Witnesses say a group of onlookers had gathered at a bridge to watch the fast-moving water that has resulted from heavy rain throughout June. As a result, motorists also began slowing down to get a better look.

That’s when a 45-year-old Regina truck driver appeared on the scene and was forced to swerve suddenly to avoid running over gawkers and four-wheelers who were reportedly slamming on the brakes to take in the sight of the rising river. Now, the unidentified driver remains underwater while dive crews wait for water levels to subside before recovering his body.

“Having so many (people) show up just compounds our problems with trying to keep people safe,” RCMP Cpl. Kerry Doran told local media. She later said “Right now the water levels are too high and too dangerous for our divers to go in. They’ll go in as soon as they can.”

Two other motorists were injured in the crash, but they were taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.