JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. (WTVR)--Parents hope the recent death of a teenager will prompt the Park Service to take some action at a popular swim spot.
Just weeks after a Jamestown High School senior drowned, CBS 6 spotted swimmers taking chances in the same water.
Some swimmers went out to the very sandbar that Trevor Times was attempting to swim to when he went under. That’s why parents want to get that area closed.
“It’s a very treacherous area ," said Ann Colorado. She knows the rip tides are so strong; people can get into trouble very quickly. Times was an acquaintance of her son and his death has shaken Colorado and many other parents.
The standout golfer was attempting a swim that many local kids try frequently, explained Colorado.
“My son confessed he and his friends do swim to the sandbar. He says they will never do it again. I really hope so,” added Colorado.
She and others would like to see stronger deterrents, like closing the area and putting lifeguards with ocean training on site.
Posting pictures of drowning victims next to a danger sign is also something she and others would like for the Park Service to consider. Visitor Anne Konn is all for it.
"I think the picture connection would make people stop, look and think twice," said Konn. Others say closing off the beach area completely would be extreme. “There are things that can be done to protect and make people more aware,” added Tony Konn.
While people continue to swim in College Creek, Colorado prays it won’t lead to more sad headlines.
"Our next step is to write letters to the commissioner of the park service locally and further up if we have to,” she said.
For now, there’s no word on whether the park service will consider closing that area. In the meantime, parents just hope visitors will heed the danger signs, and be cautious.
Times is described as an excellent golfer at Jamestown High School who was headed to East Carolina University on an athletic scholarship. He would have graduated this week with his classmates.
