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Rescue crews recover body of drowned swimmer in Chesterfield

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CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- A body was recovered around 5 p.m. Thursday in the James River after crews spent the afternoon searching for a missing swimmer who jumped into the water and never resurfaced.

The water rescue began just before 3 p.m. near the Dutch Gap on the James River in Chesterfield.

The victim was out swimming with a group while boating on the water when the incident occurred.

Water rescue underway in Chesterfield after swimmer fails to resurface

Chesterfield Fire Captain Joe Harvey said the water can be very dangerous, even when it doesn't look to be. "You can come down here in times and see whole trees floating down the river," Harvey said. "It looks really nice and calm here but there is a tremendous amount of debris on the bottom of the river."

Officials say the other people who were on the water with the victim are okay.

They are also reminding people to make sure they know how to swim, do research, and wear a life jacket while out on the water.

Police have not yet released the name of the swimmer.

This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.

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