Havre de Grace Man Drowns While Swimming In Loch Raven Reservoir

From the Baltimore County Fire Department:

The young man who drowned Friday while swimming in the Loch Raven Reservoir is Anthony Ibewuike, 22, of Havre de Grace. Ibewuike’s body was recovered Saturday by Baltimore County police divers.

Fire officials received a call at about 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 4, for a possible drowning at the reservoir, between the Loch Raven Drive bridge and the dam. Rescue crews — who used all-terrain vehicles to access the area where the drowning occurred — reported that a group of young people said they had been on the opposite side of the reservoir when they decided to swim to the other side. They witnessed the victim disappear under the water.

Rescue crews, including the Kingsville Volunteer Fire Co. swiftwater team, the Middle River Volunteer dive team and advanced tactical rescue crews from Texas Station 17, conducted a surface search by boat using underwater cameras. The Baltimore County Police Department conducted an aerial search using its helicopter. A total of 24 Fire Department units responded.

Fire officials suspended recovery operations at about 8:15 p.m. Friday due to impending darkness and storms. Those efforts resumed early Saturday morning under the supervision of the Baltimore City Department of Emergency Management (Baltimore City owns the reservoir) and Baltimore County police.

Swimming is illegal in the three City-owned reservoirs located in Baltimore County. These bodies of water are hazardous due to fluctuating currents, which often are especially strong near dams; fluctuating temperatures; underwater debris; and sudden dropoffs.