Angler left stuck on island for hours after river suddenly rises, NC rescuers say

An angler was left stranded for hours after he waded to an island and the river swiftly rose around him, according to rescuers in northeastern North Carolina.

It happened Thursday in the Roanoke River near Gaston, and searchers located the man not far from an Interstate 95 bridge, according to Gaston Fire & Rescue in Northampton County.

The search was launched after a 911 caller on Interstate 95 reported “his friend had been fishing on the river, became stuck, and could not get back,” officials said.

“Units responded to the bridge area and deployed a drone in an attempt to locate the subject. Two swift water rescue teams were then deployed and navigated downriver, where they located the male beside an island,” Gaston Fire & Rescue said in a July 9 Facebook post.

“The subject advised that the river was low when he crossed, but the water level suddenly rose, preventing him from returning safely and being stranded for approximately two hours in the water.”

Rescuers took the angler to a nearby landing and turned him over to EMS personnel for examination. He was not injured, officials said.

The Roanoke River flows from Virginia into North Carolina and has lower sections regulated by hydroelectric projects, according to Paddle Guide. The water hides submerged obstacles, fallen trees and alligators, experts say.

“Water levels can change quickly, especially near ... bridges and dams,” Gaston Fire & Rescue noted.

Gaston is about a 105-mile drive northeast from downtown Raleigh.

This story was originally published July 10, 2026 at 8:33 AM with the headline "Angler left stuck on island for hours after river suddenly rises, NC rescuers say."