Charlotte boy dies in mountain creek known for being unpredictable, NC sheriff says

An afternoon dip in a cool mountain creek turned deadly Saturday for a Charlotte boy, according to investigators in western North Carolina.

It happened outside Collettesville in Wilson Creek, a popular waterway that is notorious for hidden hazards, the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. The site is about an 85-mile drive northwest from uptown Charlotte.

“At approximately 4 p.m., a 12-year-old ... was reported missing. He could not swim and had been missing for approximately 20 minutes when the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office was notified,” Caldwell County officials said in a news release.

“A short time later, the boy was found in the water ... and, unfortunately, succumbed to his injuries on scene.”

His identity and a cause of death have not been released.

Maps show the boy entered the water from an unpaved parking lot that is adjacent to a two-lane bridge.

“Wilson Creek is a beautiful but potentially dangerous waterway. The creek’s swift current can quickly overpower even strong swimmers, and the water often hides hazards beneath the surface,” Caldwell County Public Information Officer Paige Counts said in a news release.

“Large rocks, submerged limbs, and fallen trees can create powerful, unpredictable undertows. In some areas, the water may look shallow and calm yet drop off suddenly into deep pools. Visitors should use extreme caution, wear proper safety gear, and never underestimate the force or hidden dangers of Wilson Creek.”