Rescuer’s body is found; 4th storm-linked death in France

PARIS – The body of a man pulled from a river in frigid eastern France has been identified as that of a missing firefighter who was swept away in torrential waters just after saving a family. The death brings to four the number of people killed in France this week as winter storms battered western Europe.

Searches continued Friday for at least two other people who have disappeared in other eastern France regions.

Interior Minister Gerard Collomb confirmed reports that the volunteer firefighter’s body had been recovered a day after being sucked into the overflowing Breda River in the Alpine Savoie region. The victim, described as “very experienced,” had just rescued a couple and their infant stranded on the roof of their car and was trying to save another driver.