Police are reporting that a man has drowned in a popular regional swimming hole.
According to Avery County Sheriff Danny Phillips, his agency was one of several that responded to a call of a missing swimmer at Elk River Falls on Friday morning.
The Linville Volunteer Fire Department said the rescue mission turned into a recovery after a body was found nearby. Sheriff Phillips said the victim was identified as 53 year old Philip D. Williams.
After the mission, a diver working for the Linville VFD began showing symptoms of a “serious medical issue” which prompted an airlift to a nearby hospital. Department spokespersons said the diver is expected to make a full recovery.
Sheriff Phillips said no foul play was expected in the incident, and that it appears that Williams was swimming in the falls at the time.