Monday, May 21, 2018
MASONTOWN, W. Va.
An Ohio man remains missing after being swept away in the Cheat River, the sheriff’s department said Monday.
The Preston County News & Journal reports Michael A. Lewis, 23, of Petersburg, was in the Bull Run area when he was swept away by a strong current early Sunday, deputies said.
At 4:21 a.m. Sunday, the sheriff’s department was alerted to a reported drowning at Bull Run. A deputy found Shane Nelson Forame, 23, also of Petersburg, stranded in the water.
With the help of Aaron Williams of Petersburg and several ropes tied together, the deputy was able to reach Forame and drag him to shore.
Lewis, however, could not be located, and an ongoing search is being conducted with volunteer fire departments from Masontown, Reedsville and Newburg; KAMP ambulance; state police; Mountaineer Area Rescue Group; the Preston County Dive Team; and the Grafton Volunteer canine unit.