2 women missing in Virginia Tuesday after a group of people in rafts and on paddleboards went over the Bosher Dam on the James River a day earlier.
USA – Authorities in Virginia identified two women missing Tuesday after a group of people in rafts and on paddleboards went over the Bosher Dam on the James River a day earlier.
WWBT-TV reported that 12 people were involved in the accident Monday afternoon. WAVY-TV reported the dam has a 12-foot (3.6-meter) drop, and that water levels have been high. Images of the search show the river seemingly placid above the dam, but roiling below, with some of the group’s paddleboards and inflatable rafts caught in the currents below the rush of water.
One of them managed to reach a nearby house for help. Assistant Fire Chief Jeffrey Segal said kayakers in the area helped rescue nine more. But Segal said two women were unaccounted for despite a very thorough search.
Crews searched for the two women until dusk and the search resumed Tuesday morning, Henrico police said in a news release. Police said they have worked with friends and families of Lauren E. Winstead, 23, of Henrico County and Sarah E. Erway, 28, of Chesterfield County, listing them as missing.
Police cautioned that the waterway is at hazardous levels in certain areas and anybody entering the stream ought to be very wary.
Nearby inhabitant Finn Gardner let WWBT know that somebody beat on their window saying their gathering went over the dam.
“Thus, we ran out there, and we were attempting to assist with getting individuals out of the water and ensure that everybody was represented … Sadly, we were unable to find two of them,” Gardner said. “I’m trusting that they’re in somebody’s home some place attempting to figure out how to contact their gathering. You got to hold out for divine intervention.”
