North Carolina man drowns in Smith Mountain Lake

A North Carolina man drowned in Smith Mountain Lake Saturday night.

Around 7:40 p.m., there was a report of a person who had fallen into the water at Magnum Point Marina, according to a news release from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

At the time of the 911 call, the man had not gotten out of the water. The county Sheriff’s Office responded to the area to search for the individual and located a body in the water, according to the release. The person was recovered from the water and pronounced deceased at the scene.

The man has been identified as Stephen Sykes, 73, of Littleton, North Carolina, according to the release. While the circumstances surrounding this drowning appear to be due to an accidental fall, the death investigation remains active, according to the statement.

The sheriff’s office extends its condolences to Sykes’ family and friends during this tragic time, the statement states.