MASONTOWN — An Oakland, Md., man drowned in the Cheat River near the Jenkinsburg Bridge on Saturday.
According to Masontown Volunteer Fire Department Chief Matt Montgomery, witnesses said Derek Noah Bennett, 26, was swimming in the Cheat River when he went under and did not resurface.
“We received the call at approximately 5:40 p.m. on Saturday, the victim was located through a heat signature in the water around 7:15 p.m. by the Maryland State Police helicopter Troop 5,” Montgomery said. “The body was recovered at 7:30 p.m.”
Bennett was the second drowning in the Cheat River at the Jenkinsburg Bridge this year, according to Montgomery.
Michael Lewis, 23, of Petersburg, Ohio, was swept away in the river early May 20 following a heavy rainfall. Rescue personnel were able to use ropes to save a second man stranded in the water, Shane Forame, 23, also of Petersburg.
Lewis' body was recovered a day later several miles away near the shore at Cheat Lake.
In addition to the Masontown Volunteer Fire Department and Maryland State Police helicopter Troop 5, units from the Bruceton-Brandonville Volunteer Fire Department, Reedsville Volunteer Fire Department, Preston County Sheriff’s Department, Department of Natural Resources, Preston County Dive Team, KAMP Ambulance, Masontown Swift Water Rescue, assisted at the scene.