Man’s body pulled from Broad River Wednesday evening

The body of a swimmer was pulled from the Broad River just north of I-20 Wednesday evening, the Department of Natural Resources said.

State and local water rescue personnel began searching the river after swimmers reported that a young man who had been swimming with them went under and did not come back up.

The man disappeared from a sandbar where about 40 people were trying to keep cool, Robert McCullough of the SC Department of Natural Resources said.

A Richland County Sheriff’s Department diver found the body around 7 pm in about 30 feet of water, McCullough said.

Nothing is known about the victim but McCullough said the river can be a dangerous place to play even for experienced swimmers.

The Broad River is rocky, uneven and riddled with deep holes that can disorient a swimmer who steps into one, McCullough said.

An autopsy will be performed by the Richland County coroner’s office.

This story was originally published June 17, 2015 at 6:54 PM.