Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 1, 1990 TAG: 9007010166
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: D-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: New River Valley bureau
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Short
Roger Whittaker of Oakvale had gone for a swim with some family members after work, said Rodney Freeman of the Giles County Rescue Squad.
About 5:30 p.m., Whittaker was swimming in the Shumate Falls area near the Glen Lyn community, a popular but dangerous area because of rough water and varying depth, Freeman said.
A family member told rescue officials that Whittaker, who was a good swimmer, was about 50 yards from the bank when he slipped below the surface, resurfaced once and then disappeared. His body was found about 50 yards downstream at 8:48 p.m.
Freeman said two or three people have drowned in the area in the last couple of years.
The funeral is 11 a.m. Monday at Davis Funeral Home Chapel in Oakvale.
by CNB