MIDDLEBORNE — Tyler County Sheriff’s Office has reported that two individuals have died in a Jan. 27 transportation accident involving the water bottle truck in which they were traveling.

TCSO officials reported the accident occurred at approximately 9:01 p.m., and Tyler County E-911 Center had received the call — informing a dump truck was over the enbankment in the Jug turn on West Virginia 18, just south of Middlebourne.

Those arriving on the scene of the accident discovered that a water bottle truck had traveled through the guardrail and over the embankment on the south side of the Jug. This vehicle was said to be a water truck owned by Jay Bee Oil and Gas Inc., which is stationed in Cairo.

Two individuals were found inside the truck. The driver was Curtis E. Etheredge Jr. of Harrisville and the passenger was Eric V. Hardman of Parkersburg. The two men required extrication to be removed from the vehicle. Etheredge was pronounced dead at the scene, and Hardman was rushed to Sistersville General Hospital by Middlebourne EMS. However, he was pronounced dead shortly after.

Deputies from the TCSO and first responders with the Middlebourne Volunteer Fire Department, the Sistersville VFD, Alma VFD, Shirley VFD and Middlebourne EMS all responded to the scene.

The TCSO was also assisted by Tyler County Office of Emergency Management, WVDOH, and the West Virginia Medical Examiner’s Office.

A towing company in Cairo worked in conjunction with Jackson’s Towing out of New Martinsville to remove the vehicle.

TCSO also reported that, as a result of the accident, W.Va. 18 was shut down for about four hours. The road was officially reopened at 1 a.m. Monday.

Officials with TCSO said the investigation regarding the accident is ongoing.