Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 20, 1994 TAG: 9406200056
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MATT CHITTUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Capt. Steve Davis of the Giles Rescue Squad said Darrell Dean Nester, 25, and some friends were partying at New River Park, a privately owned campground near the Montgomery County border, when Nester swam across the New River about 8 p.m. He drowned on the return trip.
Davis said several witnesses told him a "great deal of alcohol was involved" in the group's activities, but he could not confirm it until blood tests were finished.
"Alcohol and the river just don't go together," Davis said. "The problem is not the river. It's when people do things that prudent people wouldn't do in the same situation that they get in trouble."
Nester swam about 300 yards across to the south side of the river without problem, Davis said. He had swum only about 25 feet on the way back before he went under once, came back up and disappeared, several witnesses told Davis.
Davis said there were noticeable bottom currents in the area.
"I don't think he even hollered," said Lethia Duncan, owner of the campground.
Duncan said she and her husband try to keep alcohol consumption down in the campground, but they did not know members of Nester's party weredrinking. She said they were not being rowdy.
Divers searched for Nester's body until 11:30 p.m. Saturday, and resumed the search at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Davis said.
A state police helicopter spotted the body from the air and pinpointed its location for the divers, who recovered it at 10:30 a.m.
Duncan said that three others have drowned at the campground in the 34 years she has owned it.
"I put a note up today that says, `Please don't go across the river,' " she said. "You have to respect that river."
Nester is survived by his wife and two children.
Keywords:
FATALITY
by CNB