JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. (WVEC) – The temperature is beginning to rise and that means more and more people are hitting the beach.
At the College Creek in James City County, there have been several drownings in the last few years.
Since 2006, James City County has responded to six drownings or distressed swimmer calls in the College Creek Area. Of those six, they were only able to rescue two people:
- 6/26/17 – victim, Tony Garcia, age 23
- 7/7/16 – victim, Edwin Tejada Delgado, age 27
- 5/28/12 – victim, Trevor Times, age 18
- 5/1/10 – victim was a 16-year-old male who was able to be rescued
- 7/19/07 – victim, Hannah Davis, age 5
- 6/18/06 – victim age is unknown, but was able to be rescued (initial caller referred to victim as “a little boy”)
According to JCC police, it’s possible that there are others where agencies such as JCC Fire Department, Virginia Marine Police, US Coast Guard and National Park Service responded.
At College Creek Beach off Colonial Parkway, there are signs warning beachgoers about the strong rip tides and deep water. The sign also advises people to not get in the water.
JCC Police provided 13News Now with this statement:
Our officers do patrol that area but the area is primarily patrolled by the National Park Service since it is their property. Like with swimmers, the combination of the tide, the current and the sandbar can provide unsafe conditions for marine navigation as well. So, while our Marine Patrol may patrol near that area, they aren't always able to safely make contact with swimmers. When officers do make contact with swimmers by land or water, they will caution them about the conditions.
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