On April 12 at approximately 3:25 p.m., James City County Police and Fire Departments were called to the area of Little Creek Reservoir to an overturned canoe. Three adult males had been out in a canoe fishing when the vessel overturned. None of the three men were wearing life vests.
A 19-year-old male was able to swim to shore and was transported to Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. An 18-year-old male was also able to swim to shore and was uninjured. A third male, Tionni G. Johnson, a 22-year-old from Lanexa, VA was unaccounted for.
A search and rescue operation commenced with assistance from York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, VCU LifeEvac and Newport News Waterworks; however, Johnson was not located.
The recovery mission was suspended on Monday due to inclement weather and resumed on Tuesday at 8 a.m. with assistance from James City County Fire Department and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
On April 14 at approximately 3:10 p.m., Johnson’s body was recovered in the area where the canoe originally overturned. The location was approximately 100’ offshore and in water approximately 26’ deep.
Media Contact:
Stephanie Williams, Police Spokesperson
757-592-5618; Stephanie.williams@jamescitycountyva.gov