18-year-old drowns in Boiling Spring Lakes

BOILING SPRING LAKES, NC (WWAY) — A swimming trip turned tragic in Brunswick County Thursday. An 18-year-old boy drowned while swimming in Spring Lake.

Witnesses say the boy and his friend were calling for help from the water. The friend managed to make it to shore. Swimmers looked for the 18-year-old while they waited for help to arrive, but it was too late.

“The more time went by, the more upset I got because I realized he had been under for a long time,” said witness Terry Bennett.

“We’ve never had anyone drown in this lake before,” said witness Carissa Ussery. “It scared me.”

It took rescue crews about 45 minutes to find the boy’s body. Boiling Spring Lakes police will not release the boy’s name until they contact his family.