Neuse River drowning victims identified

Raleigh, N.C. — Raleigh police on Tuesday released the names of two children who drowned in the Neuse River Monday afternoon.

Cousins H'Katherine R'Com, 10, and John R'Com Nay, 7, were fishing with family members at the Old Milburnie Dam when Nay went out in the water around 4 p.m., went under and never resurfaced.

Police say R'Com tried to rescue the boy and got pulled under as well.

Nay's father and his 13-year-old niece tried rescuing the children, but the currents were too strong, police say.

Crews searched the river for about four hours until they discovered the children's bodies.

R'Com was a student at Brentwood Elementary School in Raleigh, according to a spokeswoman for the Wake County Public School System. Nay was a student at North Ridge Elementary School.

Police say they currently don't plan to file any charges.

Fishermen who frequent the river say the rushing water near the dam is too dangerous for swimmers.

In July 2008, two men, John Brian Taylor, 21, and Michael Patrick McDowell, 20, also drowned while swimming near the dam.

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Latest Comments

I see from an updated story that they were right at a dam. The waters around a dam can be quite treacherous.

Lightfoot3
July 19, 2012 10:55 a.m.

God Bless these children and their families.

But we must all be accountable for our own actions and those of our children. A family should not jump into legal actions against anyone due to their own negect.

US Born
July 18, 2012 1:23 p.m.

This girl was my friend from school I feel sad about what happened to her and for all the people that are reading this please pray for that family.God Bless you H'Katherine Rcom

alejram5
July 18, 2012 12:47 p.m.

"The only thing missing on the Neuse River near hwy 64 is the whitewater and it would be rated as a class V or greater." - pipcolt

While I've never swam in the Neuse, from the pictures I've seen it wouldn't even begin to approach a class III. What makes it worse than any other river with current and rocks?

"Should the state be forced to keep everyone off this river?" - RM24

NO! The state shouldn't monitor and police all our rivers. Growing up, I've swam in various rivers and lakes, some more risky than others because of location. But it was always my responsibility, not the government's.

Lightfoot3
July 18, 2012 12:01 p.m.

My sympathy for the families of this children.

Now, at what point do you say that an area has enough warning signs, posted signs, etc. At some point individuals, parents and children, have to have some personal accountability for their own actions or the lack thereof.

Parents and children, "Stay alert, stay alive"

seven74215
July 18, 2012 11:10 a.m.