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  • Emergency crews prepare to put a boat in the water Friday evening to begin searching for 18-year old Kevin Jaimes after he slipped into the Tar River and never resurfaced. For The Daily Southerner

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  • Emergency workers search the Tar River Friday evening for 18-year old Kevin Jaimes body after he disapeared in the Tar River near Shiloh Landing. For The Daily Southerner

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September 10, 2012

Teenager drowns in Tar River

Correspondent Van Holland

TARBORO — PRINCEVILLE – The body of 18-year old Kevin Jaimes was recovered at 9:41 a.m. Sunday morning, a little more than 36 hours after he disappeared in the waters of the Tar River.

Jaimes, who was said to have limited swimming ability, was at a picnic with his family when he stepped off into a “black hole” estimated to be at least 40-feet deep near the newly constructed Shiloh Landing pier, located near U.S. Highway 258, early Friday evening.

After Jaimes went under and was struggling to stay afloat, family members called 9-1-1 and reported the incident. Law enforcement and emergency crews arrived on the scene about three minutes after a call had been dispatched that an Hispanic male had gone under in the river and could not be located.

As first responders were looking for a way to get down the river bank to the water, several of Jaimes’ family members were yelling from across the river, telling them he had gone under near a sand bar across from the pier.

As crews worked to get into the water, Jaimes resurfaced, gasped for air and disappeared for the last time.

"When we arrived on the scene, we saw the victim surface above water," Princeville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Billy Boddie said. "We were just unable to get to him because of where he was located."

It was about that time that Boddie called for the Tarboro Fire Department to bring a boat and, as more emergency crews arrived, a plan was developed to search for Jaimes' body.

It was as the additional emergency crews were arriving that crowds of spectators began to create a traffic hazard, causing officials to call in the North Carolina department of Transportation to block the highway.

 "We had to control the crowd so we could make a way to work on finding the victim," Boddie said.

As soon as they arrived, the emergency boat crews and dive teams were deployed into the river. Additionally, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol helicopter was called in to provide additional light as searchers continued their efforts until about 1:30 a.m. Saturday.

The search resumed about 8 a.m. Saturday and continued throughout the day as personnel from a total of 16 different agencies worked unsuccessfully to locate Jaimes.

About an hour after the search resumed Sunday morning, Jaimes' body was found floating on the water, some 150 yards from where he disappeared.

"We were in the right area and knew basically where he was all along based on what eyewitnesses told us when we arrived," Boddie said. "After he went under that last time, it made everyone's job more difficult because we had to search under water then.,” Boddie said, pointing out that the large amount of debris in the river made the search effort even more difficult and dangerous.

Officials said the river is not a safe place to swim, because there are a number of deep holes, such as the one that claimed Jaimes.

Edgecombe County Sheriff James Knight said he was very pleased with the way all the agencies worked together to help recover Jaimes from the river.

The following agencies all played a part during the search: Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office, Princeville Fire Department, Tarboro Fire Department, North Carolina Wildlife, Rocky Mount dive team, Tarboro Swift Water Rescue team, Edgecombe County Emergency Management, North Carolina Highway Patrol, North Carolina DOT, Princeville Police Department, Conetoe Fire Department, Speed Fire Department, South Edgecombe Fire Department, Tarboro Police Department, Edgecombe County Rescue Squad and Wilson County Sheriff's Office.

The American Red Cross provided food to rescue workers as well as working with the family of the victim.

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  • We Salute...

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  • Edgecombe Events May 17

    Edgecombe Events should be submitted by noon the day before publication. Items eligible include notices of local meetings and activities of non-profit organizations, clubs, schools and civic groups in the community. Information should be brief and typewritten, neatly printed or via e-mail. Questions? 823-3106 or e-mail: events@dailysoutherner.com. Leave  a daytime contact phone number.

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