05/16/2026
Water Rescue & Search Operations
Update 05/16/2026 17:00
Thursday night, Gaston Fire & Rescue responded to Roanoke Rapids Lake at the request of Roanoke Rapids Police Department and Roanoke Rapids Fire Department for a male in the water near the dam yelling for help.
RRPD and RRFD located the male approximately 60 yards from shore as he was drifting toward the dam. Strong winds and waves made conditions difficult. Our water rescue team was deployed and quickly located the male, who was being directed by lights and drone operations. He was found holding onto a life vest, brought aboard our watercraft, and transported to the 5th Street Boat Landing, where Halifax County EMS provided care and transported him to a local emergency department.
During the transfer, the male advised that he had been in a kayak with another male, who had given him his life jacket, and that he was unsure of the second maleโs location. Land, water, and air search operations began and continued for several hours; however, the second male was not located that night.
Search operations continued yesterday and today. Efforts have included drone operations, land searches, hull-mounted side scan sonar, towable sonar, underwater ROV operations, cadaver K9 resources, helicopter support, and public safety diving.
Agencies assisting throughout the operation to date have included:
Halifax County NC Sheriff's Office
Gaston Fire & Rescue
Halifax County EMS
Halifax County Emergency Management
Wake Forest Fire Department
Nash County Sheriff's Office
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
NC Emergency Management
North Carolina State Highway Patrol
Hertford County Emergency Management
Northampton Emergency Management
Littleton Volunteer Fire Department
Roanoke Rapids Fire Department
Roanoke Rapids Police Department
Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad
Northampton County Sheriff's Office, NC
Northampton County EMS
Halifax County Emergency Communications
Northampton County 911 Communications
Operations are continuing this evening. We ask for your continued prayers for the family, as well as for all responders involved in the ongoing search.
The investigation is being led by the Halifax County Sheriffโs Office.