Staff Report

The search for a 19-year-old Dallas County man, believed to have drowned in the Alabama River on Wednesday morning, is entering its third day.

Nicholas Cline, a student from Dallas County High School, was reported missing. His mother, Karen Cline, has waited at the shore since divers and searchers began combing the river Wednesday afternoon.

An emergency call came in to the 911 call center Wednesday at about 10:30 a.m. reporting four young people were swimming across the river and one didn’t make it to the other side, authorities said.

Cline was reportedly swimming with his best friend, Cameron Flowers, 18. Flowers told authorities they were swimming across the river when Cline began cramping. Flowers told authorities he tried unsuccessfully to save his friend several times but couldn’t, and was forced to return to shore.

Rescue squad Lt. Jasper Bowie said they were joined in the search Wednesday evening by divers from Prattville and Sumter County, and the Autauga County Rescue Squad.

The search was called off just after darkness limited visibility, and continued throughout the day Thursday.