What started out as a simple news conference about the installation of new safety signs along the banks of the Rappahannock turned into a big story, as we learned Stafford County could have prevented the drowning death of a 17-year-old Maryland teenager.
The teen was swimming with his church group June 8 at the Falmouth Waterfront Park, in Stafford County, when he went under the water and never resurfaced. Fredericksburg Fire and
Rescue officials discovered his body in the river the next morning.
Stafford provides lifeguards for its other riverfront park, Aquia Landing, at a cost of nearly $9000 per year. They do not provide it at the Falmouth park; a park that is regularly advertised as a destination spot to tourists, and has seen more than 75 drowning deaths at the park since 1972.
The new signs have large pictures on them warning river swimmers of the possible dangers in the water.
The new signs have large pictures on them warning river swimmers of the possible dangers in the water.
Stafford officials said strong currents, deep holes in the river bottom, and floating debris like large trees, may have contributed to the teens death.
1 comment:
in that shot of you on the balcony, i expect to see an airplane flying toward you... a la sept 11.
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