ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2010, SIX INDIVIDUALS RENTeD A PONTOON BOAT FROM CAROLINA MARINA ON BELEWS LAKE.  THERE WERE FOUR FEMALES AND TWO MALES ON THE VESSEL.  The operator ENTERED A COVE AND STOPPED THE BOAT TO RELAX.  AT APPROXIMATELY 2:30PM, PASSENGER ENTERED THE WATER TO COOL OFF.  VICTIM WAS HOLDING ON TO THE SIDE OF THE PONTOON BOAT AND LOST HIS GRIP.  VICTIM COULD NOT SWIM AND WAS NOT WEARING A PFD.  VICTIM IMMEDIATELY WENT UNDER THE WATER.  THE OTHER PASSENGERS WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST VICTIM.  THE PASSENGERS CALLED 911 AND RESCUE TEAMS AND NC WILDLIFE DISPATCHED PERSONNEL.

MASTER OFFICER AND SR OFFICER RESPONDED TO BELEWS LAKE AT APPROXIMATELY 3:30.  THE OFFICERS SECURED THE SCENE.  NO ALCOHOL OR DRUGS WERE FOUND DURING THEIR INVESTIGATION.  GUILFORD COUNTY DIVE TEAM LOCATED THE BODY AT APPROXIMATELY 4:50PM IN 15 FEET OF WATER.  VICTIM WAS REMOVED FROM THE WATER.

THE CAUSE OF DEATH WAS DETERMINED TO BE DROWNING.

NO CHARGES WILL BE FILED BY THE NC WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION.

PINE HALL                     