Divers locate body of drowning victim

Crews are pictured Sunday evening searching for the body of a teenager who drowned Sunday afternoon at Bates Landing near Phil Campbell.

PHIL CAMPBELL – Officials said crews have located the body of a teenager who drowned Sunday afternoon at Bates Landing near Phil Campbell.

Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver confirmed divers found the body of 18-year-old Isaac Edward Linzer at 3:50 p.m. Monday.

Linzer was from Winston County and was reportedly swimming at Upper Bear Reservoir with his two brothers and his father on Sunday to celebrate Father’s Day when the drowning occurred.

Oliver said rescue crews received the initial call at approximately 3 p.m. Sunday stating an 18-year-old male had jumped from a 15-ft. high rock at Bates Landing into water that is approximately 40-ft. deep.

Oliver said the teen reportedly surfaced briefly before going back under the water and never resurfaced.

Oliver said onlookers who witnessed the accident called 911.

Rescue teams searched the waters around the site of the accident until after 9 p.m. Sunday and resumed the search at 7 a.m. Monday.

“I appreciate all of the rescue workers who assisted with the search efforts,” Oliver said.

“This is a very sad situation and our thoughts and prayers are with this boy’s family.”

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Phil Campbell Police Department, Phil Campbell Rescue Squad, the Franklin County Dive Team, the Bear Creek Development Authority, and Alabama Game & Fish all assisted with the search.