CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. — Cleveland County first responders say a teen who was pulled from Moss Lake was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Tommy McNeilly, director for Cleveland County EMS, confirmed initial details to WCNC Charlotte via phone around 5 p.m. McNeilly said rescue operations began when the teen reportedly didn't resurface from the water. Crews with Charlotte Fire were able to get him out and get them taken to Atrium Health Cleveland.
McNeilly confirmed the teen was the only person in the water who needed help, and active rescue operations had concluded. Further assistance was provided by the Kings Mountain Police Department.
However, in a news release shared just after 6 p.m. Friday, Kings Mountain Police said 18-year-old Jeremiah Roberts of Shelby was pronounced dead at the hospital and described the incident as a drowning.
The department's timeline also shared more information. According to officers, Roberts had jumped off of a pier into the lake but was struggling to get out and soon fell below the surface. Rescue operations began, and he was recovered around 3:30 p.m. Roberts was pronounced dead at 5:03 p.m.
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