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Three bodies recovered from James River in Rockbridge County

Authorities say the three individuals were family members

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ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va.UPDATE

The bodies of three family members have been recovered from the James River in Rockbridge County, according to the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office.

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Authorities said on Friday, the Rockbridge Regional Public Safety Communications Center received a call for held around 7:43 p.m. concerning three swimmers that were missing.

According to the sheriff’s office, the two juvenile and one adult family members had been swimming in the James River in the Arnold’s Valley area of Rockbridge County.

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 assisted in the search through the night, but were unable to locate the individuals.

We’re told on Saturday at approximately 9:45 a.m., emergency personnel recovered the family members from the water a short distance from where they were last seen.

Authorities said the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office are handling the death investigation.


ORIGINAL STORY

Hadji Niang tells 10 News Saturday morning, three of his family members were on a camping trip from Charlottesville.

He says his 10-year-old niece and 19-year-old nephew, names unknown, bodies were recovered from the James River Saturday morning around 10 a.m.

Niang says his family members were playing in the James River at Natural Bridge and was notified his nieces and nephews did not return.

Niang tells 10 News, law enforcement was out last night, and were searching again today and is waiting for more information on the last remaining family member.

Rockbridge Fire and Rescue is on the scene assisting in the search.

10 News has a crew on the way, and we’ve reached out to authorities for more information.

Stay with 10 News as this story develops