Bodies of Three Missing Swimmers Recovered in James River

Saturday, Aug. 5 - The Rockbridge County Sheriff's Office reported this afternoon that the bodies of two juveniles and one adult were recovered in the James River this morning after the three family members had gone missing while swimming in the river Friday.

According to the statement from the sheriff's office, the Rockbridge Regional Public Safety Communications Center had received a call for help around 7:43 Friday evening concerning three swimmers who were missing. They had been swimming in the river near Arnolds Valley.

Emergency personnel responded immediately to the area and began a search and rescue operation. The following agencies worked through the night but were unable to locate the missing swimmers: Buena Vista Fire, Buena Vista Rescue, Glasgow Fire, Glasgow Rescue, Natural Bridge Fire, Rockbridge Baths Fire, Rockbridge County Fire-Rescue, Rockbridge County Sheriff's Office, Virginia Conservation Police, and the Virginia State Police Search and Rescue Team.

At approximately 9:45 this morning, emergency personnel recovered the family members from the water a short distance from where they were last seen. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the Rockbridge County Sheriff's Office are handling the death investigation.

No further information is being released at this time.