Update 6.26.18:
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — The man who died saving a child from rough water in the New River has been identified as Terrance Bell, 49 of Oak Hill.
National Park Service officials said Bell jumped into the water late Sunday with another adult when a child appeared to be in distress. The child and the other adult got out safely while Bell was swept away by a strong current.
Original 6.25.18:
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Officials confirm the body of a man was pulled from the New River early Monday.
New River Gorge National Park Spokesperson Eve West told MetroNews affiliate WJLS the 49 year-old man’s body was discovered near the New River Gorge Bridge. A family was having a picnic on the riverbank near Fayette Station.
The man was swept away by a strong current while saving a young child. The child was wearing a life jacket and made it to land safely.
“They had called the children in to eat and then they looked out and a child was still in the water and was seeming to be in distress,” said West. “So two of the adults went in and one of the individuals went under and then was not seen by the family.”
Emergency crews responded to the area Sunday evening at around 6:30 for reports of a possible drowning. A search went until sunset but was called off due to darkness. West confirmed the body was discovered after the search resumed Monday morning at around 7:40.
“A body was recovered in the same area that the individual was last seen in.”
Fayetteville, Ansted, Nuttall and Oak Hill Fire Departments responded to the scene alongside Jan Care Ambulance, Division of Natural Resources and National Park Service officials.