Officials Remind Public to Be Safe on Rivers

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Columbia , S.C. (WOLO) — With the continuing hot weather, more people are hitting the river and with a drowning death early Sunday morning on Congaree River, officials are reminding swimmers to stay safe. “Come out enjoy these beautiful rivers that we have in Columbia and Richland County but we want you to be safe,” said Brick Lewis with the Columbia Fire Department. “It’s a reminder to everyone that it could happen to you.” A tragedy on the Congaree River over the weekend, after one man drowned near the Gervais Street Bridge. Officials said the victim and a friend willingly jumped several feet off the overlook and one male did not resurface. “One day it could be that it is a deep spot that you could jump in and you just don‘t see what’s a couple inches below that water but you could have debris, logs, and rocks could shift,” explained Captain Lewis. “You just don‘t know what’s there” Captain Lewis said it is the 2nd unsuspicious and fatal drowning this year. He said it’s reminder to keep safety in mind when heading out on the river. Captain Lewis said it’s important to remember to use the buddy system and tell friends where you will be and when you will return. He also said it’s important to be cautious if consuming alcohol and most importantly, remember to wear a personal floatation device. “We‘re not talking about just one of these that wraps around your waist or just a floatie,” explained Captain Lewis. “We‘re talking about ones that have buckles around the chest that have that certified stamp on it.”