A swim club is under scrutiny after a man drowned in Baltimore County. His family wants an investigation into the club's safety protocols.
COCKEYSVILLE, MD — The family of a swimmer who drowned last month at a Baltimore County swim club wants officials to review the facility's permit, multiple reports said.
Search crews found the body of a missing swimmer on Aug. 19 in the quarry at Cockeysville's Beaver Dam Swimming Club, police said. Officers identified the victim as 36-year-old Michael Randle, who had been missing since Aug. 17.
Thiru Vignarajah, an attorney representing Randle's family, held a press conference Thursday in Towson to call for an investigation.
"People know about Beaver Dam — they know it’s a quarry, they know there’s a rope swing, they know it’s a place where lots of kids and adults go each summer that they’re open," Vignarajah said, according to The Baltimore Sun. "As a matter of public concern, we think the public ought to be confident that this facility is doing everything it needs to to keep its patrons safe."
WBFF reported that Vignarajah called for an investigation into lifeguard training, caution signage and life jacket availability.
The Sun said lifeguard staffing levels, rescue protocols and depth markings are other matters the family wants evaluated.
"This family appreciates this is a beloved hotspot for the summer. They don't want to see a place that could be safe shut down as long as it's safe," Vignarajah said, according to WBAL-TV.
There have been at least five bodies found in the quarry in recent decades, The Sun reported.
"Mr. Randle's death made him the latest drowning victim at the popular commercial swimming facility. Based on a preliminary review of drowning deaths at private facilities nationwide, including privately-operated quarries specifically, the number of drownings at Beaver Dam is conspicuous," Vignarajah said in a statement obtained by WJZ.
WJZ said the Baltimore County Department of Health received a letter from Vignarajah requesting the investigation. Health officials are reviewing the letter for a response, a department spokesperson told WJZ.
Beaver Dam Swimming Club spans about 30 acres. It offers two pools that reach up to 5 feet deep. It also has a freshwater quarry that averages 40 feet deep and is only recommended for strong swimmers.
Randle had been seen struggling in the quarry and went under, crews said.
WBAL-TV and WJZ both reported that a lifeguard tried to rescue the struggling victim, but they couldn't find him in the water.
"He was beloved, and, in so many ways, he was becoming the center of his family," Vignarajah said, according to WBAL. "He was becoming the anchor of their future, and it's hard to lose an anchor under any circumstances, but particularly circumstances like this."
Randle's family is considering all legal options, WBFF reported.
"It's a horrific end to a promising story," Vignarajah said, according to WBFF.
Beaver Dam has not responded to Patch's request for comment.
Related:
This map shows where the swim club is located.