Town of Ware Shoals considering options after second drowning victim this summer dies
Town leaders in Ware Shoals say they're working with various agencies to curb raise in drownings at town park
Town leaders in Ware Shoals say they're working with various agencies to curb raise in drownings at town park
Town leaders in Ware Shoals say they're working with various agencies to curb raise in drownings at town park
The town of Ware Shoals leaders are looking for answers after two people have drowned in the same place within the last month.
Blake Williams says he has real fear when visiting Irvin Pitts Park in Ware Shoals. This weekend, another swimmer drowned in the rapids, the second in just a few short weeks.
Read about earlier drowning here.
"I care about people, the town cares about people, people are in an uproar about it, they want something done, anything," he said. "We've had so many [drownings] since I've been here, it's been like six since I've been here."
The death was the center of discussion during the town's public safety committee meeting on Monday, chaired by Councilwoman Patty Walters.
"You step in it, you may be at your ankles, and the next step, you'll be over your head," she said.
The coroner identified the victim who drowned on Sunday as 38-year-old Diego Armada Alvarez-Munez. His wife said he was in the United State, specifically Laurens County, for work, according to the coroner.
The town has signs posted at the park warning people about the dangerous conditions. However, as fire Chief Greg Lindley explained in Monday's meeting, none are posted in Spanish.
"My thought was of at least signs that are English and Spanish, some type like where it says 'floatation devices'? That should be in English and Spanish," he said in Monday's meeting.
The committee also discussed adding more floatation devices for park visitors. Walters said making these decisions can be difficult because she says the town's jurisdiction ends where the water starts.
"I do think that one of the things that we can do is trying to take care of the alcohol because I do understand that in the last four, alcohol has been involved, so maybe we can take care of that," she said. "I know a lot of people are concerned about the safety of individuals, I am too, this whole council is, and we want to do all that we can to try to help people, but there again, we can't control people."
Walters said the town is planning to discuss solutions further at a town council meeting next week.