Local News
Emergency Response to Reported Drowning at Walter P. Carter Elementary School, Victim Found in Cardiac Arrest
UPDATE: On July 26, 2025, at approximately 8:41 p.m., officers received a call for a water rescue at Walter P. Carter Elementary School Pool.
BPD Aviation Unit (Foxtrot) was patrolling in the area and responded to the school. Foxtrot arrived to the location and observed an unidentified male inside the pool water, with citizens removing him from the pool and attempting to provide him aide.
Sensing the urgency and knowing the immediate need for life-saving measures, Foxtrot Flight Officer Hoover and Tactical Flight Officer Smith made the decision to land in the rear of the school.
Flight Officer Smith exited the helicopter and immediately began CPR on the 25-year-old male.
Medics arrived on the scene and took over medical care.
The male was revived and transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Original Report:
BALTIMORE, MD — Emergency responders rushed to the scene of a reported drowning incident Saturday at Walter P. Carter Elementary School, located at 820 East 43rd Street, where a person was found unresponsive and in cardiac arrest.
According to emergency radio traffic, a medical helicopter crew was first to report the incident.
Upon identifying the medical emergency, the crew immediately landed nearby to begin administering CPR.
Baltimore Fire and EMS units quickly responded to the location following reports of a person drowning.
The individual was found in critical condition and without a pulse, prompting life-saving efforts at the scene.
Authorities have not released the identity, age, or condition of the victim as of this report.
The circumstances leading to the incident remain under investigation.
Additional details are expected as the situation develops.
Local News
19-Year-Old Damira Hammonds Killed in Fiery Crash on Monetta Street in Aiken
AIKEN, S.C. — A 19-year-old Aiken woman was killed Monday night after the vehicle she was driving left the roadway and crashed into a tree before catching fire, according to the Aiken County Coroner’s Office.
The fatal single-vehicle crash occurred at approximately 9:12 p.m. in the 400 block of Monetta Street. A Honda Civic was traveling northbound when it veered off the roadway, struck a tree and burst into flames.
The driver was identified as Damira Hammonds, 19, of Aiken.
She was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 9:43 p.m.
A passenger in the Honda Civic survived the crash and was transported to a hospital for treatment of injuries. Authorities have not released additional information about the passenger’s condition.
The Aiken County Coroner’s Office said an autopsy is expected to be scheduled later this week in Newberry to assist in determining the official cause of death.
The Aiken County Coroner’s Office and South Carolina Highway Patrol are investigating the crash. Officials have not released additional details about what caused the Honda Civic to leave the roadway.
