Rough Week on the James

[dwna1a]

Two dead in two days. One drowning on the upper James near Richmond. The second was at College Creek and the James. Three NAVY members ignored the signs warning them not to swim. Three went in, two were rescued by folks on the beach. The other was found four hours later.

If you ever come to visit here or have kids coming here to go to school, tell them to stay the hell away from College Creek. We are having about one death a year there now.

 

[Bridog]

Not being familiar with the area, what causes that creek to be so dangerous?

 

[dwna1a]

Kinda hard to explain. The creek meets the James at a angle, at that same point there is a small concrete bridge. It funnels the water in and out of the creek, magnifying the current. The bottom contures make whirlpools that pull folks down and then spit them into the river or back into the creek.

The college and area high school kids love to swim there, even tho it is posted as a danger area. There is a small sand bar that they wade out to and party. Once the tide starts to come in they try to swim back. That's when they get into trouble.

 

[Bridog]

Ok thanks. When your young you think your invincible.

 

[dwna1a]

The Park Service is doing everything it can to stop folks from swimming there. Signs in Spanish and English, fencing, tickets, they even tow vehicles parked on the side of the road. Nothing seems to work.