Boater who disappeared fishing near Gaston Dam found

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. -- Authorities say they have found the boater who went missing after his boat ran into a concrete piling near the Gaston Dam in Halifax County last weekend.

Divers and boaters had been searching for 31-year-old John Sutton since the April 25th incident at Roanoke Rapids Lake.

His body was found early Saturday morning near the site of the accident, according to State Wildlife Resources Commission Sgt. Glen Hatcher. He said Sutton was not wearing a life jacket at the time of his recovery.

Hatcher had told the Daily Herald of Roanoke Rapids last week that Sutton would drive his boat away from the dam, turn off the motor and fish while drifting, then drive the boat off again when it got too close to the dam.

Report a Typo