Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 16, 1994 TAG: 9406220092
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: COPPER VALLEY LENGTH: Medium
The victim, Scott Altizer, was found in 10 feet of water in a calm, mostly shallow but murky stretch of the river.
Ford Wirt, director of emergency services for Floyd County, said the call came in at 4:14 p.m. Divers from Giles and Montgomery counties were dispatched.
After searching for more than an hour, rescuers found Altizer's body at 8 p.m.
According to Floyd County Deputy Jeff Dalton, Altizer and a friend, Greg Wallace, were swimming toward some rocks when Altizer became tired and went under.
Dalton said Wallace tried to save Altizer, bringing him up twice but losing hold of him the third time.
A visibly upset Wallace directed divers to where he last saw Altizer, not far from where divers eventually found the body.
The site, about two miles off Virginia 740, is a popular swimming spot for teen-agers.
Rescue personnel found it difficult to reach the scene and had to hike the last half-mile. "I didn't even know the place existed," Dalton said.
It took 20 minutes to carry Altizer's body 60 yards to an all-terrain vehicle, he said.
Altizer, son of Gene and Rosie Altizer, recently graduated from Floyd County High School, where he studied business and agricultural education.
"Scott was a very nice kid and didn't create any problems," said Calvin Rorrer, vocational director at the high school.
Keywords:
FATALITY
by CNB