UPDATE: Possible drowning of boy, 16, in Charles City

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Authorities are searching the James River near Lawrence Lewis Jr. Park in Charles City County for a 16-year-old boy who disappeared underwater while swimming, authorities said.

The teenager, who was not identified, was swimming toward a fishing pier at the park about 3:30 p.m. today when he went underwater, apparently because he got tired, said Charles City Investigator Michael Walizer.

The teen’s brother jumped into the water from the pier to help, but he could not save the teen, Walizer said.

A Chesterfield County dive team is assisting Charles City deputies, Prince George County police and officials from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries in the search near the park off state Route 5.

— Reed Williams

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Reader Reactions

Flag Comment Posted by ty23 on July 09, 2009 at 7:50 pm

I hope and pray for the family of this child in Charles City. Prayers for this Family and County from and old friend. So many fine citizens in this community.

Flag Comment Posted by Opinion8d on July 09, 2009 at 7:45 pm

I was JUST speaking about this type of thing with someone who cannot swim. I told them when they do learn, if they do, that one of the most important things to learn how to do is to float on your back should you be in a situation and become too tired to tread water. This is very scary. I almost drowned at a wave pool many years ago trying to swim across the current to the other side. Because of the waves, floating on the back was not an option. I barely made it. I thought my arms and legs would fall off. Even the best of swimmers can get into bad situations. This story doesn’t sound like it’s going to have a good ending. Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of the young boy who is missing. Prayers for a miracle somehow he’s alive.

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