23-year-old angler drowns returning to spot he dropped phone in river, SC coroner says
A 23-year-old angler drowned returning to the spot where he lost his cellphone, South Carolina officials said.
The fisherman was on the bank of the Saluda River when he fell into the water. After a two-hour search in the Pelzer area, divers pulled the man from the river late Wednesday, Aug. 2, according to the Anderson County coroner’s office.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. He was identified in a news release as Joshua Tyrese Fair of Anderson, roughly 30 miles southwest of Greenville.
“The investigation indicates the victim died as a result of freshwater drowning and the case has been ruled accidental,” the coroner’s office wrote.
Fair had been on the river with a friend when he dropped his phone in the water. When it was almost time to leave, he returned to the area where he last saw his phone and disappeared in the water, officials said.
“The victim was not wearing a lifejacket and alcohol intoxication appears to be a contributing factor,” the coroner’s office wrote, adding that it continues to investigate Fair’s death along with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.
Drowning
At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.
Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.
“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”
This story was originally published August 3, 2023 at 5:49 AM with the headline "23-year-old angler drowns returning to spot he dropped phone in river, SC coroner says."
