Crime & Safety

Spotsylvania Teen Drowns in Rappahannock River

Witnesses told authorities that they were jumping off a rock into the river when their friend, Brandon Wichert, disappeared.

according to the Fredericksburg Fire Department and the Staford County Sheriff's Office.

Stafford County Sheriff's Office spokesman Bill Kennedy said witnesses told authorities that six friends were jumping off a rock into the river and that when they looked back at the rock they didn't see the victim, Brandon Wichert. The group of friends were off Riverside Drive near an area called the "First Ledge."

"The friends began looking for the victim along the shore line and the main road when they called 9-1-1," he said. The call came in at about 9:35 p.m.

Find out what's happening in Fredericksburgwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Fredericksburg Fire Department Deputy Chief Mike Jones said units conducted a surface search for the victim and a diving operation to find the teenager. Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation of the incident. Stafford County units and Fredericksburg units worked together on the search effort.

"Upon arrival of the Fredericksburg units, City Police Department officers had located the individuals with the missing friend and interviewed those subjects to determine the last known location of the victim," Jones said. "Fire Department personnel from both jurisdictions working under a Unified Command structure quickly assembled teams of personnel to search the surface of the water in the area of 'First Ledge' and shore searches of areas downstream to see if the victim had floated downstream. All these searches were negative for finding the victim."

Jones said after consulting with the Sheriff's Office about the length of time that Wichert had been missing and the likelihood of him being underwater, the decision was made to start a nighttime diving operation and a Virginia State Police helicopter with nighttime vision equipment was called in for assistance, but was canceled when the victim was located before its arrival. Two Fredericksburg Fire Department divers entered the river and found Wichert approximately eight feet underwater about 10 to 15 feet off the rocky shoreline shortly after midnight this morning.

"All fire-rescue personnel performed very well under the challenging conditions of darkness and rapidly moving water," Jones said. "Lighting was brought in to try and light up the scene from the hillside above the river."

Find out what's happening in Fredericksburgwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Wichert is a 2012 graduate of Massaponax High School.

Recognize Moving Water Hazards

  • High Water - Stay off the river if you see these warning signs of high water: swiftly moving water, muddy water, a river out of its banks, debris in the river, or water flowing among the trees on the shore.
  • Strong Current - Currents often cannot be seen, but can be extremely dangerous.
  • Uneven Riverbed - Deep holes, uneven current, rocks, roots, broken glass, and fishing line all pose real dangers.  The "Fall Line" area of the Rappahannock from Old Mill Park to Fredericksburg City Dock is especially dangerous in this regard.
  • Don't Stand In Moving Water - Foot entrapment between rocks or in debris lets current force victims under. Float. Keep feet up and downstream to fend off rocks.
  • Hydraulics - Hydraulics send water falling over ledges or dams, creating holes, then recirculating the water to fill the holes. This can drag trapped victims under repeatedly.
  • Strainers - Strainers, such as downed trees, debris piles, and undercut rocks, let water flow through but strain out boats and bodies, holding them under. Paddle well clear or walk around these obstructions.  If you are out of your boat and cannot avoid being washed into a strainer, swim vigorously towards it and climb over it.
  • Diving - Never dive into anything but a swimming pool.  Diving in shallow water or into unexpected underwater rocks and logs can cause injury, paralysis, or death.
  • Hypothermia - Cold water exposure, or even dampness with a little wind chill, can cause loss of coordination, clouded thinking, unconsciousness, and death. Dress appropriately.
  • Alcohol and Drugs - Alcohol and drugs make swimmers and boaters more likely to take risks but less able to deal with these risks.

River Safety Checklist

  • Respect The River - Natural patterns of free-flowing rivers can be learned but cannot be controlled.
  • Buddy System - Never wade, tube, swim, or boat alone. Go with someone who knows the river.
  • Life Jacket - Essential for fishing, wading, tubing, swimming, or boating on moving water.
  • Equipment - Wear shoes, appropriate clothes, and sun protection. Take a first aid kit and plenty of drinking water.
  • Swimming Ability - Be a swimmer. Non-swimmers often panic, endangering themselves and others.
  • Skill/Physical Condition - Take a boating course. Be physically fit. River sports are demanding.
  • No Alcohol/No Drugs - Impaired coordination and judgment increase risk of loss of life.
  • Trip Planning - Consider water levels and available time. Allow one hour's paddling for every two miles of river (longer if fishing). Let someone know your plans, when and where you will start, and when and where you expect to complete your trip.
  • Weather / Time of Day - Get a weather report before starting your trip. Lightning, cold weather, high winds, dusk, all mean get off the river until conditions improve.
  • Scout Unknown Hazards - Rapids are always hazardous, but even calm areas can hide deep holes in the riverbed, treacherous underwater currents, shifting sand bars, broken glass, fish hooks, undercut rocks, logs, roots, and assorted trash.
  • Water Levels - Check the gauge before beginning your trip. When the river is in the green area, life Jackets are essential. In the Yellow, stay off the river. In the Red, stay off the river, rescue is difficult or impossible.

Related Content: 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.