Man missing on Yadkin River: Doesn't resurface after saving struggling relatives

Authorities say a man made a daring rescue to help several family members who were struggling in a local river, but eventually slipped into the water himself, without resurfacing. Authorities are still searching for him, but as of 7 p.m., he had been missing for more than six hours.

According to a statement from Major Scott Hudson, of the Surry County Sheriff’s Office, the man was able to help his family members get to safety before slipping under the water in an incident that happened shortly before 1 p.m. at the Ararat River and Yadkin River juncture in the Siloam area.

He said his office, along with Surry County Emergency Services and Pilot Mountain Rescue Squad received the call at 12:47 p.m..

“When first responders arrived on the scene, they were informed that an adult male, age 44, was attempting to help some family members struggling in the river. The adult male was able to help the family members struggling, but he never re-surfaced,” Hudson said in his statement.

That was all the information he said his department would release.

“This event is tragic for all involved especially for the family,” he said. “This incident is still an active scene with attempts to locate the adult male. At this time, the event is considered a search and recovery.”

He said first responders on the scene requested additional assistance from the Dobson Rescue Squad, Mount Airy Rescue Squad, Elkin Rescue Squad, Shoals Volunteer Fire Department, Pilot Knob Volunteer Fire Department, Arlington Volunteer Fire Department, Fall Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Yadkin County Emergency Services, Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office, Stokes County Emergency Services, North Carolina Wildlife, and the North Carolina Parks Service.