Teen drowns at Kerr Lake
KERR LAKE, NC (WTVD) -- Search crews pulled the body of a Warrenton teenager from Kerr Lake Monday morning.
Sixteen-year-old Keyon Philippe went missing while swimming late Sunday.
He disappeared near the Satterwhite Point swimming area. Family members said the boy was at a birthday party when it happened. He swam out to get a ball for some children, went under a few times, and then never resurfaced.
"My brother went into the water to get him, and he was actually arm's length away from him when Keyon finally went down for the last time," said Charitel Rogers, Philippe's aunt.
Rogers said the teen was able to swim but was not wearing a life jacket.
Crews searched the lake late into the night before lightning forced them to suspend their efforts.
"The biggest obstacle that Vance County Rescue had was the weather last night. They searched until one of the bad storms came in," said park superintendent Lee Amos.
The teen's body was found around 10:45 a.m. Monday, hours after the search resumed.
"He was an amazing young man, funny, outgoing, never met a stranger," said Rogers.
Philippe played varsity football for Warren County High School. He was active in his church and mentored young children.
Family members said he always looked out for others like he did Sunday night.
"You know your own understanding cannot fathom what you just witnessed, so you have to put your faith in God. You just have to. There's no other way to do it," said Rogers.
A GoFundMe page has been established to help pay for funeral expenses.
This is the second drowning at Kerr Lake this year and the first in Vance County.
