WVDNR: Father who rescued son in Sutton Lake presumed dead

UPDATE (4:55 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, 2024) – A father who went underwater in Sutton Lake after rescuing his son has been presumed dead, West Virginia DNR officials say.

The 25-year-old Charleston man, who has not been publicly identified, went into the water to help his son after the child started struggling due to an issue with his life vest, according to the DNR. The man did not have his own life vest on at the time, DNR officials say.

According to the DNR, the water is approximately 12-15 feet deep where the incident happened, and visibility in that area is less than two feet.

The search has converted to a search and recovery mission, and cadaver dogs from Tyler County have been deployed, according to the DNR.

One area resident spoke with 13 News about the situation saying saving his child no matter what is what any father would do.

“I heard he went in to save his son, and he saved his son and then didn’t make it out himself. Which, that’s what a dad does. A dad saves his kids no matter what. He sacrifices himself, and the Lord will look out for him for that,” said Sutton Resident Richard Bender. “I would save my kids. My kids mean more to me than anything in the world just like his kids did him. He did the ultimate sacrifice to get them, you know.”

UPDATE (4:26 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, 2024) – West Virginia DNR officials say a man who was swept under the water in Sutton Lake was rescuing his son.

The search for the man is still underway, and the DNR says it will continue as long as conditions permit.

BRAXTON COUNTY, WV (WOWK) — A search is underway for a 25-year-old man from Charleston officials believe drowned in Sutton Lake Monday morning, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

They say the man was on a rental boat with friends and family when one of the children had a problem with their floating device.

Officials say the man jumped in the water to help the child. He got the kid to safety, but he slipped below the water.

The West Virginia DNR’s dive team is searching for the man. As of Tuesday morning, he has not been found, according to the DNR.

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