Body of missing teen recovered from Falls Lake after hours-long search
By Jamiese Price
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CREEDMOOR, N.C. (WTVD) — The body of a 16-year-old boy who went missing at Falls Lake was recovered after an hours-long search.
Wake County deputies responded around 2:20 p.m. to the 14600 block of Creedmoor Road. That’s at the Sandling Beach recreation area.
A person who identified themselves as a family friend told ABC11 that they were out on the water when the teen disappeared into the lake.
Authorities did not immediately say whether the teen was wearing a life vest or what led the boy to go under. ABC11 later saw a park ranger hanging up a life vest on the beach while the search was underway.
Wake County EMS, the Northern Wake Fire Department, and the Wake Forest Fire Department assisted with the search.
The Wake County Mobile Command Unit and drones were deployed as rescue boats scoured the water late Monday afternoon.
People visiting the lake told ABC11 that park rangers called for adult volunteers to help before first responders arrived. Many people at Sandling Beach jumped in to help.
One of those volunteers said the effort took an emotional toll.
“What if it was, like, my sibling?” Jose Hernandez said. “I saw another girl there, … I think I seen her crying. You know, it just makes you want to cry, and yeah, just felt like helping.”
As the search continued, more people gathered along the beach and surrounding areas.
Alex Grabmiller was also at Falls Lake with his family sitting near the picnic tables.
“More and more people slowly gathered, and there was clearly something going on. And eventually they, they asked for a line of adult volunteers to hold hands and search through the water. Did that for 5 or 10 minutes. Then more, more cars started showing up,” Grabmiller said.
“What if it was, like, my sibling?” Jose Hernandez said. “I saw another girl there, … I think I seen her crying. You know, it just makes you want to cry, and yeah, just felt like helping.”
As the search continued, more people gathered along the beach and surrounding areas.
Alex Grabmiller was also at Falls Lake with his family sitting near the picnic tables.
“More and more people slowly gathered, and there was clearly something going on. And eventually they, they asked for a line of adult volunteers to hold hands and search through the water. Did that for 5 or 10 minutes. Then more, more cars started showing up,” Grabmiller said.
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