CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - Police are investigating after someone died while swimming in the Appomattox River Saturday afternoon near the 21500 block of Chesterfield Avenue.
Police received a call at 1:16 p.m. that a man had jumped from a bridge.
While on scene, investigators learned that the victim, 36-year-old Brian D. Ziegelbauer of Petersburg, did not jump from a bridge, but was swimming in the river.
After a search of the river, a dive team located Ziegelbauer's body. His body was recovered around 2:42 p.m.
Jonathan Talbert told CBS 6 he comes to the Appomattox River almost everyday. But, when he saw the water on Saturday, he changed his mind.
"When you look at the water there's a lot of spirals in there and the water is moving really fast today, I just don't want to risk it after hearing everything today," he said.
Chesterfield Fire and EMS Shift Commander, Robert Lukhard said the Appomattox River is more dangerous than the James River since it's a narrow body of water.
"There's more rocks and it can get moving very swiftly, so even if people think it's a nice way to cool off, that water is moving a lot swifter than it appears," said Lukhard.
Lukhard also said the amount of rain the area has seen recently is bringing the current and water level up.
"It makes me want to be more safe now," said Talbert, after hearing about Saturday's death.
Stay with WTVR.com for more updates on this developing story.
