NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, N.C. (WAVY) — A 39-year-old man drowned while fishing in the Roanoke River on Sunday, officials say.
First responders recovered the body of Juan Alberto Saravia Parada after a nearly four-day search that began Sunday night.
Parada and a family member were fishing in the river between Gaston and Roanoke Rapids. Parada fell into the water while trying to retrieve a fish around 8:48 p.m., his family member told the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office.
First responders searched for Parada from Sunday night until they located his body at 11:25 a.m. on Thursday.
Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith encouraged anyone fishing or doing other recreational activities near the river to wear a life jacket.