Search resumes on Cape Fear River Saturday morning for missing swimmer
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- Fayetteville rescue crews had to stop their search of the Cape Fear River for Drequan Odle Friday night because of darkness.
A fire department spokesman said the 21-year-old Fayetteville man drowned Friday afternoon while swimming with two other people. A family friend said the three men were swimming in the river to cool off when they got into trouble.
"They went to swim across," said family friend Jamie Renkle. "The current grabbed Drequan. His uncle and their friend tried to grab him to save him and the current drug him."
One of the men swam to shore and called 911.
A fire department rescue boat was in the water minutes later. They saved the second man, who they found clinging to a log. Drequan, the man said, was pulled under.
As word of the search spread, distraught family and friends rushed to the river bank and watched as divers searched beneath the murky water. While friends said all three men were good swimmers, a fire department assistant chief said the undercurrent and debris in the water make the Cape Fear very treacherous for swimmers and rescuers.
"The depth varies on the river," said Assistant Fire Chief Richard Bradshaw. "It can be anywhere from three to four foot, but if you get out in the channel, it varies six to ten feet."
Bradshaw said it was too dangerous for crews to search the river at night, especially the scuba divers. That's why they called off the search just at sunset. They plan to be back on the water at 8 a.m. Saturday to resume their search for Drequan. Family members said they will be back too.
