At approximately 3:15pm on may 12, 2013, i, a wildlife enforcement officer with the north carolina wildlife resources commission was dispatched to vista point on b everett jordan lake in reference to a possible drowning/missing person.  Upon my arrival, i spoke with vessel 1 operator, victim's spouse and 1 witness, victim's daughter.
According to vessel 1 operator she, the witness, two grand kids, and the victim were participating in tubing activities as a family near mile marker 3 on b everett jordan lake.  The victim was in a tube with his two grand kids, which was being pulled by vessel 1. At one point she looked back and observed the tube tip over and both grand kids fall out of the tube.  She immediately stopped vessel 1 and the victim jumped from the tube to retrieve the grand kids.  Vessel 1 operator stated the victim was able to assist one child back into the tube, but was struggling with the second child.  At some point witness 1 entered the water from vessel 1 to assist the victim.
According to the witness, she entered the water when she observed the victim struggling with the second child.  At that point she reached the two in the water, she took the second child and placed them in the tube, but was unable to assist the victim who went under the water and never re-surfaced.
Both vessel 1 operator and the witness stated the victim was not wearing a pfd but the grand kids were.  Vessel 1 operator stated the victim had been sick for approximately two weeks with some type of chest congestion, possibly from allergies, but was not taking medication.
A thorough search of the area was conducted for the victim by emergency crews for a period of four days before he re-surfaced and was located.
There was no evidence in this investigation which revealed the use of alcohol or illegal drugs.  Both vessel 1 operator and the witness stated no one was drinking alcohol during the outing.  All five persons involved in the boat outing were wearing pfds, with the exception of the victim.  There was no indication of equipment malfunction.
Please note:  the victim was the only one not wearing a pfd.  The cause is unknown.
APEX