
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, June 1, 1993                   TAG: 9306010052
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: The Associated Press
DATELINE: PRINCETON, W.VA.                                LENGTH: Short

NEW RIVER DROWNING VICTIM FOUND

The body of a West Virginia man who drowned in the New River was found Monday in Summers County, W.Va., three days after he was swept away while swimming in Giles County, police said.

Darrell Skeens, of Princeton, W.Va., was found near Shanklins Ferry, W.Va., two miles downriver from where he disappeared Friday afternoon, said Willie Lucas, a Giles County sheriff's investigator.

Skeens, 43, was swimming with friends who were unable to save him, Lucas said.

"All indications are that Skeens was unable to withstand the strong undercurrent . . . and was swept under," Lucas said.

Divers from the Princeton and Giles County rescue squads searched throughout the weekend for Skeens, authorities said.

A Virginia State Police helicopter spotted the body Monday, said Officer B. Moore of the Summers County Sheriff's Department.

Keywords:
FATALITY

by CNB