Wake Forest, NC Officials did a water rescue at Falls Lake Dam on Sunday, but could not stop 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 under water. One of the victims’ friends tried to save him but was unsuccessful.
The boat crew of a Wake County sheriff was deployed within minutes of the call to begin the search, and around 10:30 p.m., they located the body.
Eric Curry of the Wake County Sheriff’s Office says safety should come first when you’re on the water.
“Safety should always be the first thing that comes to mind and not just having a good time,” Curry said. “We get out of here too many times because of no respect for the waters here at Falls Lake.”
A similar incident took place in the same area last year with a Wakefield High School student and football player Davion Davis.
Curry says warnings should be put in place to avoid future tragedies.
“Be careful, pay attention to where you are, and wear a life jacket,” he said. “Whether you are fishing or on a boat, or even want to wave in the water, you should always think about safety first.”