Empty boat spotted on river leads to search for missing person, Virginia officials say
Officials are searching for a missing person after an empty boat was spotted on a Virginia river.
Bedford County’s Swiftwater Group was training on the James River Saturday, Nov. 12, when they were stopped by a railroad employee who had spotted an empty boat. Crews immediately initiated a search.
Firefighters and officials from several organizations responded shortly after noon on Saturday to the Balcony Falls area to assist in the search, according to a Nov. 13 Facebook post from Big Island Volunteer Fire Company. Crews searched on Saturday and said the search would continue Sunday, Nov. 13.
Officials said the river is experiencing heightened water levels and a swift current.
The Virginia Conservation Police are leading the investigation, Bedford County Special Operations Command said in a Nov. 12 Facebook post.
The Virginia Conservation Police, Big Island Fire Company and Bedford County Search and Rescue did not immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for comment. No other updates were available as of Monday, Nov. 14.
Balcony Falls is 140 miles north of Greensboro, North Carolina.
This story was originally published November 14, 2022 at 8:15 AM with the headline "Empty boat spotted on river leads to search for missing person, Virginia officials say."
