Coroner identifies Congaree River drowning victim

Cayce, SC (Diana Nation) - Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher has identified the victim who drowned while reportedly skipping rocks and enjoying the cool waters of the Congaree River on Wednesday, July 22, 2020.

According to Coroner Fisher, 17-year-old Javion Cannon, of Columbia was recovered from the water and pronounced dead on the scene at approximately 9:00 p.m. Wednesday evening by the City of Cayce of Department of Public Safety. Mr. Cannon entered the water between the Cayce Boat Landing and the Blossom Street Bridge at approximately 5:30 p.m. He went under the water and did not resurface, prompting a search that began just before 6:00 p.m. That search involved First responders from the Cayce Department of Public Safety, as well as assistance from the Columbia Fire Department, the Richland County Sheriff's Department, and the SC Department of Natural Resources.

Multiple rescue boats and divers were launched from both sides of the river in search of the young man who was reported to have jumped into the water and not resurfaced. While searching for Mr. Cannon, another call was received about a second swimmer reportedly in distress. That person was located struggling while trying to swim against the current. This swimmer was brought to safety before a second tragedy could happen. A few hours later, a rescue boat reported that it had "recovered" the victim they had originally been searching for.

The incident is under investigation by the Cayce Department of Public Safety.