RedactedNarrative: On June 5, 2016 at approximately 3:15 pm, Victim drowned while swimming on Lake Norman.  He and his brothers-in-law left their vessel to swim near an island at the mouth of McCrary Creek on Lake Norman.  Victim was unable to swim back to the boat and subsequently drowned.  
  
  Operator was operating NC-xxxx-xx, an 18 foot Stringray ski boat on Lake Norman.  Also on the vessel were Occupant1, Victim and Occupant2.  There were other family members on a nearby island.  The three men wanted to swim, so Operator stopped the vessel near the island and shut off the engine.  The men jumped from the vessel to swim and Occupant2 stayed on the vessel.  The vessel was not at anchor and was drifting at the time.  The wind was blowing quite strong throughout the day and created choppy and rough conditions on the lake.  As the three men swam, the current and wind pushed the vessel away from them.  Occupant1 did not stay in the water long and swam back to the vessel.  The two other men swam for a few minutes then headed back to the vessel.  Victim yelled for help and was having trouble swimming.  Operator tried to assist him.  Occupant1 threw a PFD to them, but the wind blew it in the opposite direction.  Occupant2 threw a rope to them as well.  Victim was frantic in the water and then went under.  He did not resurface.   
  
  After Victim went under, Operator got back on the vessel and started the engine.  They flagged down a man on a PWC and he came and assisted them with the search.  The man on the PWC called 911 as well as Occupant2.  Both vessels stayed in the area searching for Victim until law enforcement and rescue personal arrived on scene.    
  
  Victim never resurfaced on his own.  His body was recovered the next day by rescue divers.  The weather on June 5, 2016 created choppy waters and a surface current.  This made it difficult for Victim to swim back to the vessel that he departed from earlier.  The family stated that he could swim.  There is no indication of foul play and there were no drugs or alcohol involved.  Victim's body was sent for and external medical exam and toxicology report.  Findings are still pending.
  
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  PLEASE NOTE:  WHEN FINAL AUTOPSY REPORT IS SUBMITTED, THIS REPORT WILL BE UPDATED IN BARD.  
  
  NOTHING FURTHER AT THIS TIME.
  