Appomattox River drowning victim identified

A man who drowned in the Appomattox River in Colonial Heights yesterday while trying to cross with a nephew was identified this morning as James Y. Sadler, 39, Chesterfield County police said.

Sadler's body was pulled from the river about 4 p.m., approximately three hours after authorities said he went under in a section of the river near Archer Park, just west of the Martin Luther King Memorial Bridge. The 10-year-old nephew riding on Sadler's shoulders was able to swim ashore safely.

Colonial Heights authorities received a call just after 1 p.m. regarding a swimmer in distress. Chesterfield Fire & EMS dive team members located his body about 4 p.m., some 30 minutes after entering the water.

Authorities said they believe Sadler fell into a sinkhole or a deeper spot of the river while trying to cross with his nephew. The water's depth in that area ranges from eight to 12 feet, officials said.

An investigation is continuing.

-- Mark Bowes