Drowning under investigation in Preston County

MASONTOWN, W.Va. — A man drowned Saturday in the Bull Run area.

Preston Emergency Management/911 Director Duane Hamilton said the man’s body was recovered Saturday. Maryland State Police helicopter Trooper 5 spotted the heat signature in the water and was able to direct rescuers to the body, Hamilton said.

The drowning was reported at 5:29 p.m., and the man’s body was recovered at 7:26 p.m. The victim’s name has not been released as of July 16.

Preston Chief Deputy P.A. Pritt said the man was swimming at the time, went under and did not come back up.

The sheriff’s department, Department of Natural Resources, Preston County Dive Team, KAMP Ambulance, Masontown Swift Water Rescue, Masontown Volunteer Fire Department and Reedsville Volunteer Fire Department assisted at the scene.

Kathy Plum, The Dominion Post