Cumberland man drowns in farm pond

A 78-year-old Cumberland County man drowned yesterday morning while fishing in a private Goochland County farm pond.

Goochland Sheriff James L. Agnew said Harold G. Sutton of Ampthill Road in Cartersville, was fishing with a friend when their canoe capsized about 25 yards from shore.

Sutton attempted to swim to the shore. His companion, a 20-year-old Goochland man, tried to help him but was unable to prevent him from going under the water.

The companion, who was uninjured, reached shore and called 911 from a nearby home. After a search by the Henrico County dive team, Sutton's body was found in 11 feet of water. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:26 a.m., and his body was taken to the state medical examiner's office in Richmond.

Neither Sutton nor his companion was wearing a life jacket, the sheriff said.

The pond is off Sandy Hook Road in central Goochland County.