Late afternoon, July 15 an emergency call was dispatched for a boater who apparently fell overboard in the Appomatox River at the City of Hopewell-Prince George County-Chesterfield County Borders.
Search and Rescue teams consisting of divers were dispatched from Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, City of Hopewell Fire and Rescue and Chesterfield Scuba Rescue. Sgt J.E. Jackson of Hopewell Police Department is heading the investigation.
Sgt. Jim Croft of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries said diving conditions were tough. "It's zero visibility down there," Croft explained. "The current is swift increasing the challenges. You can't see, it's a touch and feel search."
Witnesses reported seeing the male boater fall from his craft Saturday night after making a turn. It was reported he was not wearing a life jacket.
The missing man is believed to be David Rajnish, 37, from Maryland. But officials have not confirmed this.
The search continued until darkness fell Saturday night, was then suspended for the night and began again at dawn on Sunday morning.
Rescue teams focused the search on an area between Hopewell Yacht Club and Anchor Point.
