3rd drowning in two months raises concerns about stretch of Neuse River near Raleigh

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Wake County Sheriff’s deputies responded Sunday to a drowning on the Neuse River near the Neuse River Greenway and Loch Raven Parkway. This marked the third drowning along the same stretch of the river near the Raleigh Beach area.

Wake County Sheriff Lt. Mike Fleer said this is unusual.

“Generally we see it at the lakes. It’s either, you know, Falls or Harris,” he said. “That stretch of river, it’s become kind of an anomaly this year. This is the most incidents that I’ve seen in that stretch in such a short period of time.”

The three drownings happened in two months: One in May , another in June and the most recent on Sunday .

Lt. Fleer said swimming in rivers and lakes can be particularly dangerous.

“There’s stronger currents underwater that you can’t see and there’s things underwater that you can get tied up in,” he said. “You need a whole different set of knowledge and skills compared to swimming in a pool.”

Fleer said he is not sure what it is about that stretch of river that makes it so dangerous.

The City of Raleigh, which owns the beach, has warning signs up, reminding beachgoers that they swim at their own risk. There are also signs with safety reminders.

“Need to make sure you swim sober. You swim with a buddy,” Fleer listed.

Fleer also said the sheriff’s office is talking with the City of Raleigh and emergency personnel about putting more signs on the beach and possibly buoys in the water.

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