Death of teen found in Silver Creek under investigation | News

NEW ALBANY — Police have released few details in the death of a teenager who went missing while swimming in Silver Creek on Memorial Day.

New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey confirmed that Andre Edwards Jr. was found dead Monday in Silver Creek near Providence Way. Police had not announced the cause of death as of Tuesday afternoon.

Emergency crews responded to Silver Creek around 4 p.m. Monday after Edwards, 14, was reported missing. Witnesses said he was swimming and did not resurface after going underwater.

According to Bailey, the NAPD Criminal Investigation Bureau is investigating the case.

“Pending completion of interviews and autopsy, a definitive statement will be made at a later date,” he said in an emailed statement.

The New Albany and Clarksville fire and police departments responded to the scene.

Edwards' body was found near the initial search area around Providence Way.

The incident occurred in the area of ​​the Providence Mill Low Head Dam, located near the Silver Creek Landing paddle launch site in New Albany.

Police told WDRB that Edwards was caught in an undercurrent after jumping from the dam, according to a news station report.

Bailey said the statement given to WDRB did not come from his office or an authorized press release and he did not say whether the dam was a factor in this incident.

Indiana DNR's Jim Schreck told WLKY Tuesday that the teen was playing in the creek with friends when he jumped or slipped from the dam.

When reached for comment Tuesday morning, DNR spokesperson Marty Benson told the News and Tribune to refer to the NAPD for comment on this incident.

Clarksville Police Chief Nathan Walls also declined to comment, referring the News and Tribune to NAPD.

The News and Tribune reached out to Mike Hall, a spokesman for the city of New Albany, for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

FIGHT FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE DAM

The low-head dam has been the subject of litigation in recent years as the city of New Albany sought to prevent its removal.

The DNR awarded a $75,000 grant to the River Heritage Conservancy and EcoSystems Connections Institute in September 2020 to remove the dam.

After a state public hearing on the dam's planned removal, the city filed a motion in 2021 to appeal the DNR's award of the permit.

In September 2023, an Indiana Natural Resources Commission judge ruled in favor of EcoSystem's plans to remove the dam.

The commission issued a final order on November 15 upholding the judge's decision.

The same day, the City of New Albany filed a civil suit against River Heritage and EcoSystems to prevent the dam's removal.

The city is seeking a preliminary injunction, arguing that the defendants are pursuing the move without the owner's proper approval or authorization, according to court documents.

Ownership of the dam remains in question, but the city claims a “property interest” in the dam and argues that it did not consent to its removal.

The defendants filed a motion to dismiss on December 13. The case remains pending in Floyd 3 Superior Court.

River Heritage is pursuing dam removal at its Origin Park project in Clarksville with the goal of providing safer recreational access to Silver Creek.

The city has expressed concerns about the effects of removing the dam on surrounding properties such as the Loop Island wetlands. He also pushed for historic preservation of the structure, built in 1904 for the old Glenwood Park.

River Heritage, EcoSystems and DNR cited safety concerns related to the low-head dam.

Jeremy Sweeten, senior environmental researcher and co-owner of EcoSystems, previously told the News and Tribune that low-head dams pose a safety risk to swimmers and boaters, and that removing these dams benefits fish and fish. other wild animals.

The City of New Albany opened its own paddle launch point at Providence Way in April 2023.

That same month, River Heritage opened the Croghan Landing paddle launch site on Silver Creek near Emery Crossing in Clarksville.

The nonprofit has yet to open its second Blackiston Mill launch location in Clarksville.

LOW HIGH DAM RISKS

In April, two kayakers drowned on the White River in Indianapolis after breaching a low-head dam. According to the Indianapolis Star, the low-head dam will be removed after the accident.

There are more than 90 low-head dams throughout the state. The MNR website describes these dams as “deceptively dangerous.”

“Sometimes the water around them appears tranquil and welcoming; however, moderate to high flows over such dams create strong turbulence and recirculating currents that can push victims underwater and then back toward the face of the dam in a repetitive cycle.”

“These structures are known to trap unsuspecting victims in dangerous conditions. Even the strongest swimmers and lifeguards wearing the best personal flotation devices have [drowned] to low-head dams.”

The DNR advises people to never paddle or get too close to a low-head dam.