Wake Forest, NC – Officials carried out a water rescue at the Falls Lake dam on Sunday, but were unable to prevent a 19-year-old man from drowning.
Witnesses accompanying the victim told delegates that they were swimming near a rocky part of the lake when the teenager called for help and then suddenly went underwater. One of the victim’s friends tried to save him, but couldn’t.
A Wake County Sheriff’s boat team was deployed to begin the search within minutes of the call, and located the body at approximately 10:30 PM.
Eric Curry of the Wake County Sheriff’s Office says safety should be paramount when you’re on the water.
“Safety should always be the first thing on your mind and not just fun,” said Curry. “We come here too often because we don’t respect the waters here at Falls Lake.”
A similar incident happened in the same area last year with a Wakefield High School student and soccer player Davion Davis.
Curry says precautions must be taken to avoid future tragedies.
“Be careful, know where you are and wear a life jacket,” he said. “Whether you are fishing or on a boat, which is mandatory, or even wading in the water, you should always think about safety first.”