Dive search halted, expected to continue today for missing Enterprise teen in Clayhatchee

September 05, 2009

By Jim Cook and Ebony Horton

Several city and county law enforcement agencies are expected to continue a search this morning for an Enterprise boy they believe drowned in the Choctawhatchee River on Saturday, according to authorities.
Dale County Sheriff Wally Olson said around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday that the search for a 15-year-old Enterprise boy was called off for the night because of poor water visibility. The search had began around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday after witnesses said the boy went under water while he was swimming with some friends, Olson said.
The teen’s name was not released.
“How deep the river is varies in different areas. The water visibility is pretty bad at this time, so it’s hard to dive with no lighting,” Olson said.
Houston County Sheriff’s Capt. Antonio Gonzalez said divers and the county boat’s sonar system covered as much ground as possible on Saturday in order to minimize the search area for today.
Dale County Coroner Woody Hiboldt was called to the scene on Saturday.
Several agencies, including Wicksburg Fire and Rescue, Daleville and Houston County rescue squads assisted Dale County in the search.