The recent tragedy on the Elk River serves as a reminder that swimming in rivers can be dangerous, even if you're a good swimmer.
The area of the Elk River where a 17-year-old Cody McCallister and his friends were swimming looks calm, but the officials say it's a different story under the surface. "Growing up we've always swum in the river and it never really crossed our minds," Elkview native Tyler Truman said.
Truman and his friends all knew McCallister since the 8th grade.
"He was just the best friend anyone could have asked for," Truman said.
A group of McCallister's friends went to the Elk River and set up a memorial on Friday for their friend. McCallister was just weeks away from going to Marine boot camp.