20-year-old involved in swimming accident identified - WDAM.COM - TV 7 - News, Weather and Sports

20-year-old involved in swimming accident identified

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GEORGE COUNTY, MS (WLOX) -

Robert Whitehead, 20, of Jones County is in critical condition in ICU at USA Medical Center in Mobile, AL following a swimming accident Saturday, according to the George County Sheriff's Department.

George County Sheriff's spokesperson Shonna Pierce said, Whitehead was swimming in the Pascagoula River with a church group, when he went under water and didn't resurface. A family friend told deputies, Whitehead was reportedly attempting to tie a rope swing when a strong current took him under.

Whitehead was pulled from the water. George County Sheriff's deputy Jason Pharez and a bystander immediately started chest compressions on Whitehead.

"They did everything they could to help him until the ambulance arrived," Sgt. Pat Dueitt said.

The accident happened near the area of Plum Bluff in the Basin Community just south of Lucedale. Whitehead was airlifted to USA Medical Center immediately after the incident.  

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