Father, 6-Year-Old Son Drown On Fishing Trip In Rappahannock River

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — A father-and-son fishing trip ended in tragedy after both apparently drowned in the Rappahannock River, according to authorities.

Sometime before 5 p.m. on March 22, Danny Summer and his 6-year-old son visited a boat landing just off Legacy Lane. When the duo failed to return by 9:45 p.m., Summer’s wife contacted the Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office.

Deputies searched the area, finding Summer’s vehicle and his cellphone on the river dock. Members of the sheriff office’s dive team searched the river, recovering both bodies, authorities say. There was no evidence of foul play.

“Initial evidence indicates that the son who had just caught a fish fell off the dock and into the river,” according to the incident report. “Danny entered the water in an attempt to assist his son but tragically drowned himself. The sheriff’s office sends our thoughts and prayers to the family and community.”

Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to call 1-800-928-5822 or 1-540-582-5822. Tips can also be submitted online at www.p3tips.com or www.spotsylvaniacrimesolvers.org or by using the P3tips App from Android or Google store.