Published: September 02, 2008 10:55 pm      

Remains of Pa. man who drowned found, ID’d

After four days of searching, national park authorities Monday identified the remains of a Pennsylvania man as the drowning victim who had last been seen swimming with friends on the New River.

New River Gorge National River Chief Ranger Chief Hartley said the body of Alfredo Garcia, 21, of West Chester, was discovered by a fisherman on the New River about 8 a.m. Monday about two miles downstream from Teays Landing.

Special K-9 State Police dogs, trained to detect the scent of body oils that ascend to the water’s surface, had already narrowed the search to that area and the fisherman verbally communicated the discovery to searchers nearby, Hartley said.

“Mr. Garcia was with a group that came down from Pennsylvania to go rafting, and while waiting to go on a rafting trip some went to the river to swim on Friday afternoon,” Hartley said. “Mr. Garcia tried to swim out to a rock, but the strong current pulled him under. He was not wearing a life jacket.”

Hartley said evidence of foul play was not apparent and Garcia’s death will be labeled as a drowning. His body was transported to the Fayette County Coroner’s office and then will be released to family, Hartley said.

It is uncertain if alcohol played a role in the drowning victim’s death, Hartley said.

The intensive four-day search of about five miles of the New River included two to three boats per day, Fayetteville swift water officials, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, State Police, and a dive team from the Beaver Volunteer Fire Department.

Hartley said depending on the season and water temperatures, a victim’s body rises to the surface at different times. Recovery teams were within 30 feet of Garcia’s body when discovered, which was “within the time window” provided by such calculations.

The recovery effort began last Friday and was continued during daylight hours through Monday, Hartley said.

“Swift moving water can be highly dangerous, and we recommend that everyone wears a lifejacket,” Hartley said.

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