A 16-year-old boy died after apparently drowning in Roanoke Rapids Lake this afternoon.
Roanoke Rapids Police Department Deputy Chief Andy Jackson declined to release the victim’s name. He did confirm the boy was local.
It was unclear how the boy drowned, both Jackson and Chief Chuck Hasty said.
Hasty said a witness told police the boy and a friend had been swimming outside the designated swimming area off the beach at Roanoke Rapids lake park.
Jackson said the police department received the call just after 1:35 p.m., the call coming in about a person who had been swimming and went under.
The boy’s body was recovered around 3:05 p.m. Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad recovered the body and took it to an awaiting ambulance.
Police cars could be seen down a drive leading to the beach and an RVRS and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission enforcement boat were seen in the water during search efforts.