HENRICO – One teenager drowned while another made it safely to shore after their paddleboat sank in Lake Gaston near here late Sunday afternoon.

Gaston Fire and Rescue Chief Ed Porter Jr. said units were dispatched around 5 p.m. in regards to a male teenager who was missing in the water of Lake Gaston near Roanoke Drive in Henrico.

According to the eyewitness account, the male subject was with his friend in a paddleboat when the watercraft began to sink. Both teenagers exited the paddleboat and began to swim to a boat dock. One apparently became exhausted and went underwater. The other male teenager made it to shore unharmed.

Rescue boats and public safety scuba divers were deployed to the scene. Upon arrival, the missing teenager was nowhere to be found.

Scuba divers from Gaston Fire & Rescue performed an underwater search near the point last seen. Within 10 minutes of searching, the male teenager’s body was recovered. Rescue units remained on scene for approximately an hour.

The Northampton County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation with the assistance of the North Carolina Wildlife Commission.

Also on scene were Roanoke-Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department, Northampton County EMS, Northampton County Emergency Management, Gaston EMS, Conway-Severn Rescue Squad, and Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad.