Teen swimmer drowns on SC side of Lake Wylie near Tega Cay, officials say

A 16-year-old swimmer from Fort Mill drowned Monday afternoon on the South Carolina side of Lake Wylie off Tega Cay, officials said.

The teen was identified Tuesday as Logan Gurley by York County Coroner Sabrina Gast, who said Gurley had been swimming with friends.

Gurley’s body was found in the water off Tega Cay’s Pitcairn Park about 45 minutes after a call came in after 4 p.m. about a swimmer in distress, said Trent Faris, spokesman for the York County Sheriff’s Office . Lake Wylie sits between York County and Mecklenburg County in North Carolina.

Tega Cay police and fire, the Charlotte Fire Department boat team and the York County Sheriff’s Office lake patrol and dive team, responded.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim and those involved,” Tega Cay Police Chief Joey Crosby said in a written statement Monday night. “Please hug your loved ones closer tonight, as a family in our community will go to sleep without a member of theirs.”

Gurley was a Fort Mill High School student who played on the basketball team, said Joe Burke, spokesman for the Fort Mill school district. Gurley was set to enter the 10th grade, Burke said.

Although the school year has not yet started, the district has counselors available for students and staff, Burke said.

Officials have not released details about what caused Gurley to go into distress while swimming. Gretchen Kalar, a spokesman for Tega Cay, said Tuesday the coroner’s office is leading the death investigation.

The drowning comes days after a boater died in Lake Norman north of Charlotte.

Check back for updates on this story.