John Eric Roberson, 22, of Boyle was swimming with friends in the Ratliff Ferry area of the river in Madison County when he swung off of a rope about 40 feet and hit the water.
According to witnesses, he landed in a belly flop fashion with his face down in 26 feet of water.
“He came up, shook his head, said he was all right, then went under the water,” said Education Administrator Jerry Carter with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
“Officers were there when it happened for routine patrols,” Carter said. “They witnessed him swing on the rope and became involved when they were told he never came up. The Madison County dive team found him.
“The county coroner ruled it as a fresh water drowning,” he added. “The autopsy is still pending.”
“Maybe he hit his face to hard on the water, we just don’t know for sure,” he explained.
Accidents of this type — while not typical — are also not uncommon during the summer months.
“Horseplay is part of the fun but you just never know what might happen out on the water,” said Carter. “You can develop cramps. A lot of medical issues can come up.”
Carter noted that in another part of the state, a 67-year-old man told fellow fishermen that he was going to find a fishing rod and went underwater.
He apparently went to skim the bottom of the lake for as long as he could in search of his fishing pole.
He never came up.
Even experienced swimmers cannot always determine what lurks under the muddy water.
“Logs can be hidden just a few inches below the surface,” said Carter. “If you don’t know the areas, don’t dive into water that you can’t see the bottom. In Mississippi, you can hardly see the bottom or even a few inches of any natural body of water.
“Any number of things could happen while in the river,” he added. “There could be a rock bed, boulders or something that acts as a sharp object on the bottom.”
When participating in lake and river activities, there are a few rules that the officers with the department would like for the public to follow.
“Be aware of your surroundings,” Carter said. “Never swim alone. If you are not a good swimmer, don’t get in the water. Try not to panic if you find yourself in a detrimental position. Call out for help. Wear your life jacket. These are general guidelines, but they can save lives.”
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. today at Cleveland Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home chapel, followed by burial in North Cleveland Cemetery.