Crews recover body of swimmer near a popular rock face on NC mountain lake
Emergency crews recovered the body of a swimmer who went underwater near a popular rock face on a lake in the North Carolina mountains and never resurfaced.
Search teams found the person just after 9 p.m., about 2 1/2 hours after multiple callers reported seeing a person enter the water and not return, according to Burke County Emergency Services.
Responders from a dozen rescue and law enforcement agencies helped in the search west of the Duke Energy water intake at Linville Dam on Lake James, officials said.
The dam is one of three that created the boating and fishing lake in the early 1900s.
During the search, crews urged drivers and boaters to avoid the area.
Officials haven’t released the name of the person but said their family has been notified.
The Burke County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation of the case.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family,” Burke County Emergency Services said in a statement.
This story was originally published June 13, 2026 at 8:59 PM with the headline "Crews recover body of swimmer near a popular rock face on NC mountain lake."