On 04/03/2023, two individuals were fishing from a 10 foot Bass Raider vessel while traveling downstream on the Roanoke River near Weldon NC. At approximately 12:00, the operator of the vessel was thrown overboard because the small boat struck a log jam. 

After striking the log jam, the operator increased the vessel''s speed to try and free the vessel. The small boat quickly turned in the strong current which threw the operator overboard and into the Roanoke River. 

The operator, who was not wearing a PFD, floated about 5 yards downstream from the vessel where he held on to a limb. The nearby rocks were slippery and would not allow the victim to exit the water. He remained submerged in the cold water until EMS arrived. Once rescued, he was transported to ECU health in Roanoke Rapids and treated for hypothermia, but later released.
ROANOKE RIVER
ROANOKE RAPIDS                