12-year-old on walk swept away in floodwaters, Virginia officials say. Body found
A missing 12-year-old boy swept away in overflowing creek water is believed to have been found dead as heavy rain produced dangerous flooding conditions across the East Coast, Virginia authorities said.
Rescue crews were dispatched at about 5:30 p.m. May 13 to an intersection near Greenwood after a 911 caller said rushing water came out of a nearby creek and onto the roadway where the boy had been walking, the Albemarle County Fire Rescue said in a statement.
The more than three-hourslong search was paused in the evening due to a lack of visibility, rescuers said, according to WTVR.
A body, believed to be the boy, was found at about 8:45 a.m. the next day, according to rescuers. The medical examiner’s office will confirm the identity.
“This is a heartbreaking outcome, and our hearts are with the Sims’ family and loved ones,” Albemarle County Fire Rescue Chief Dan Eggleston said in the release.
Congressman John McGuire said in a May 14 statement on Facebook that he was “saddened” to hear about the boy’s death.
“Let’s keep an eye on each other and keep the Sims family in your thoughts and prayers,” McGuire said.
Greenwood is about a 90-mile drive northwest from Richmond.
This story was originally published May 14, 2025 at 4:10 PM with the headline "12-year-old on walk swept away in floodwaters, Virginia officials say. Body found."
