Drowning Reported in Spartanburg County

In June of 2025, officials in Spartanburg County reported that someone had drowned at Clifton Beach. The incident highlights hazards that many beach-goers face in South Carolina, and one has to wonder whether more could have been done to avoid this tragedy. What if your loved one drowns in South Carolina? Could you file a wrongful death lawsuit and attempt to pursue justice? Could a lawyer help you achieve this goal?

Spartanburg Officials Discourage Swimming at Clifton Beach After Drowning 

Spartanburg County Parks officials say that they’re “actively discouraging” swimming in the water at Clifton Beach after a recent drowning incident. This incident claimed the life of a 49-year-old individual, who was hospitalized before ultimately passing away. Officials say the fatal accident occurred at around 7:30 PM. Although officials aren’t ruling out foul play until they run additional tests, this seems to have been a completely unintentional tragedy.

This isn’t the first time someone has drowned at Clifton Beach, and this probably explains the strong statement from Spartanburg County Parks. According to Fox Carolina, the area has seen “multiple drownings” over the years, including a string of fatal incidents in 2021. The drownings were so numerous and concerning that County Parks officials were forced to install barricades that physically prevented anyone from reaching the water.

However, these barricades were removed only a year later in 2022. It’s not clear why officials made this decision, since the water obviously still represents a threat to the general public. In their most recent statement, County Parks officials noted that there are warning signs in Spanish and English near the beach. The victim was of Latin descent. Not only do these signs warn the public about “unpredictable currents,” but they also highlight the danger of high bacteria levels.

The fact that the officials stressed the existence of these signs is no coincidence. The entire statement reads like it was drafted by a lawyer, and it is a clear attempt to avoid liability. It’s not yet clear whether this attempt will be successful. Because so many people have drowned in this area over the years, the Spartanburg County Parks will probably face higher standards in court.

One might argue that they had a duty of care to prevent the public from reaching the water at all costs, especially since they were fully aware of how dangerous this area can be. In addition, the officials’ decision to remove the barricades in 2022 could become relevant during a potential wrongful death lawsuit.

Can a South Carolina Wrongful Death Lawyer Help Me? 

If you’re trying to pursue compensation for a drowning, you might want to get in touch with a Charleston wrongful death attorney. These legal professionals can help you assess your options during an initial consultation. From there, you can determine who might be to blame for your loved one’s drowning. You may be able to sue negligent individuals who contributed to the tragedy, and this may lead to various forms of compensation. To learn more, contact Mickelsen & Dalton, LLC today.

Source:

foxcarolina.com/2025/06/24/coroner-investigating-reported-drowning-spartanburg-county/