The body of a 16-year-old boy was recovered from Lake Wylie on Friday night after he jumped from a closed catwalk under a bridge and failed to resurface.
The York County Coroner’s office identified the boy as Yanni Harvell of Clover. Two people who were with the boy at the time of the incident reported that they did not see him resurface.
The Concord Road Bridge in York County, where the incident occurred, is located south of the Catawba Nuclear Plant. The area is marked with several no-trespassing signs, and the catwalk and path leading up to it have been closed for years. Trent Farris, the public information officer with the York County Sheriff’s Office, stated that there were many warnings not to go out there. He added that the catwalk was once a popular place for walking and recreation.
Multiple agencies were seen searching the water at the Concord Road Bridge, and Channel 9 Skyzoom flew to the scene at around 5:30 p.m. Last week, deputies were called to the bridge when 15 to 20 people ignored the warning signs.
The incident has raised concerns about the dangers of ignoring warning signs and trespassing in restricted areas. The authorities have urged the public to respect the signs and stay away from closed areas for their safety.
The tragic incident has left the family and friends of Yanni Harvell devastated. The York County Coroner’s office has stated that an autopsy will help find the cause of the teen’s untimely death. The incident is still under investigation, and anyone with information is urged to contact the York County Sheriff’s Office.