FRANKLIN
The body of a 16-year-old [previously reported as 15] Franklin boy who drowned in the Nottoway River on Sunday was recovered that evening by the Southampton County Sheriff’s Office dive team. Emergency services pronounced the youth dead at 6:43 p.m., according to information provided on Monday afternoon by Sgt. Camden Cobb, an office spokesman.

He said the identity is being withheld.

At 4:10 p.m., deputies responded to a call of a reported drowning at the Route 258 boat ramp.

“Witnesses state that the teen and others were swimming in the river when he began to struggle to stay above the surface, eventually going under and not coming back up,” Camden wrote. “The teen’s family has been notified and they have identified his body.”

He added that the investigation showed that the teen’s death appears to be accidental. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will perform an exam of the body to rule out any suspicious circumstances.