Emergency personnel were called in response to an incident at Elk River Falls on May 20 that resulted in the death and recovery of a body. The popular tourist location has been the site of several fatalities, including two deaths in 2018.
Emergency personnel were called in response to an incident at Elk River Falls on May 20 that resulted in the death and recovery of a body. The popular tourist location has been the site of several fatalities, including two deaths in 2018.
ELK PARK – Local attraction Elk River Falls claimed another drowning victim on Friday, May 20.
Avery County Sheriff’s Office identified the body as 53–year-old Philip Williams. Williams was with the outdoor group Frontier Health Recovery Services when the incident occurred.
ACSO reported that the group was taking part in swimming activities when emergency personnel was called. Avery County Sheriff’s Office and several emergency management officials were allocated to the incident.
Local EMS divers recovered the body after hours of searching. Sheriff Phillips notes that the cause of death is currently listed as drowning, and that no foul play is suspected at this time.
“At approximately 11:02 a.m. Friday morning the Linville Fire Department Dive Team responded to a swimmer missing in the water at the Elk River Falls. Unfortunately this mission turned into a recovery,” a May 21 press release from Linville Volunteer Fire Department stated. “After completing the mission, one of our rescue divers presented symptoms of a serious medical issue and after being assessed by medical personnel on scene was air lifted to a nearby medical facility. He is doing well and initial reports indicate he will make a full recovery.”
Thanks to modern technologies, you and more people are reading the Watauga Democrat than ever before. Freedom of the press is essential to preserving democracy: But a free press isn't free. It takes significant resources for Mountain Times Publications' 10 full-time journalists to provide credible, fact-based and ethical journalism in the High Country. So, we are asking you to join our advertisers and print subscribers in supporting local journalism with your dollar. The Watauga Democrat does not have a paywall, but your financial support will help sustain these services that you use to inform your decisions and engage with your community.
CLICK HERE TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION
Post a comment as
Report
Watch this discussion.Stop watching this discussion.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
Trusted local news has never been more important, but providing the information you need, information that can change sometimes minute-by-minute, requires a partnership with you, our readers. Please consider making a contribution today to support this vital resource that you and countless others depend on.
The Watauga Democrat does not have a paywall, but your financial support will help sustain these services that you use to inform your decisions and engage with your community.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.