A teenager drowned in Lake Gaston late this afternoon.
Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith said identification is pending notification of next of kin.
The Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer reported the 17-year-old, who was visiting, drowned while swimming with friends.
Roanoke-Wildwood Volunteer Fire Chief Lorenzo Wilkins told the newspaper emergency responders were dispatched to Roanoke Drive in the Webb Gate neighborhood of Henrico.
Gaston Fire and Rescue Chief Ed Porter Jr. said in a statement his units were called for backup after 5 p.m. to help search for the teenager who was missing in the water.
Porter said, according to the eyewitness accounts, the boy was in a paddleboat with a friend when it began to sink.
Both exited and began to swim to a boat dock.
The 17-year-old complained he was becoming exhausted and went under water. His companion made it to shore unharmed
Rescue boats and public safety scuba divers were deployed to the scene.
Scuba divers from Gaston Fire and Rescue performed an underwater search near the point the boy was last seen and within 10 minutes recovered him from the water.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is assisting the sheriff’s office.
Northampton County EMS, Northampton County Emergency Management, Gaston EMS, Conway-Severn Rescue Squad, and Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad also responded.
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