Officials said the 12-year-old had been missing about 20 minutes before responders were called.
CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — A 12-year-old Charlotte boy died Saturday after he was found in Wilson Creek during a family camping trip in Caldwell County, firefighters and local officials said.
The boy was reported missing around 4 p.m. June 27 near the creek outside Collettsville. Authorities said he could not swim and had last been seen about 20 minutes before the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office was notified. Responders later found him in the water. He died at the scene.
Firefighters said the family had been camping near an area where a pool of water is about 10 feet deep. First responders first received the call after the boy was last seen going back toward the family’s car. He was later found downstream, officials said. The boy’s name had not been released in early reports.
Wilson Creek draws thousands of visitors during the summer for swimming, fishing and kayaking. The creek can shift quickly from shallow water to deep drop-offs. Caldwell Emergency Services has said rocks, submerged limbs and fallen trees can create strong and unpredictable undertows in parts of the waterway.
Firefighters told WSOC-TV they have responded to five rescues along Wilson Creek so far this year. Warning signs are posted along the creek, and sirens can sound when water begins rising. Officials said storms moved through the Foothills on Saturday afternoon but did not affect water levels at Wilson Creek.
Visitors at the creek described the area as both scenic and risky. Eric Fidler said he saw deputies and firefighters rushing toward the scene Saturday. “The falls and the rocks you could get pinned,” Fidler said. Bradley Hice, who was fishing Monday, said the water can be dangerous for weak swimmers because of rapids and sudden changes.
No additional details about the drowning had been released by authorities as of Tuesday. Officials had not announced charges or a hearing, and the case remained focused on the emergency response and the conditions at the creek.
Author note: Last updated June 30, 2026.