Swimmer ‘yelling for help’ was being pushed by wind towards dam, NC rescuers say

The sound of someone screaming for help led searchers to a desperate swimmer being pushed by high winds toward the Roanoke Rapids Lake Dam, according to first responders in eastern North Carolina.

The rescue happened late Thursday in Halifax County, and a search was ongoing Sunday for his missing companion, first responders reported in a Saturday Facebook post.

Both swimmers had been in a kayak and were thrown out when it capsized, officials told WNCN.

“Gaston Fire & Rescue responded to Roanoke Rapids Lake at the request of Roanoke Rapids Police Department and Roanoke Rapids Fire Department for a male in the water near the dam yelling for help,” according to Gaston Fire & Rescue, which is based in the Northampton County town of Gaston.

“RRPD and RRFD located the male approximately 60 yards from shore as he was drifting toward the dam. Strong winds and waves made conditions difficult. Our water rescue team was deployed and quickly located the male, who was being directed by lights and drone operations. He was found holding onto a life vest.”

He was carried to shore, then taken to a hospital, officials said. Details of his condition were not released.

“During the transfer, the male advised that he had been in a kayak with another male, who had given him his life jacket, and that he was unsure of the second male’s location,” officials said. “Land, water, and air search operations began and continued for several hours; however, the second male was not located that night.”

The search for the second kayaker continued through the weekend, including use of drones, land searches, boat hull-mounted side scan sonar and scuba divers, officials said.

An investigation into the mishap is being led by the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, officials said.

Roanoke Rapids Lake is 4,600-acre reservoir split between Halifax and Northampton counties. It is about a 100-mile drive northeast from downtown Raleigh.