Elkins man’s body found in river

ELKINS — The body of a 61-year-old Elkins man was found in the water in the Lower Cheat area of Randolph County early Thursday morning.

Randolph County Sheriff Rob Elbon was dispatched to a possible drowning at Rattlesnake Run at approximately 6:30 a.m., according to a Sheriff’s Office press release. Once on scene he met with the woman who made the 911 call.

Elbon asked the woman to show him where she last saw the victim, and the sheriff was led down a mowed path through the brush trail for nearly a quarter of a mile to a campsite, the release states.

Once on the bank of the Cheat River, Elbon looked downstream and could see something in the water nearly halfway across the stream, the press release reads. The Elkins Fire Department with its Water Rescue Equipment had arrived on the scene at this time and they joined Elbon in the search.

The responders were able to clearly see a body floating face down in the water. Police photos were taken of the riverbank, the campsite and of the victim. Elkins Fire Department members waded nearly chest deep in the water to recover the victim’s body, the release states.

The victim was transported to Davis Medical Center and an autopsy was requested by the Sheriff’s Office. Elbon was assisted on the scene by Sgt. D. Pennington and Deputy T. Knotts, who collected evidence and statements.

No further information is available at the time and the case is still under investigation.