By Mark Wineka
Salisbury Post
A young Salisbury man apparently drowned early Monday evening in the swimming pool at the Days Inn hotel.
Salisbury Police identified the victim as Carnell Coleman, 20, of East Cemetery Street.
Sgt. K.C. Wilborn said Coleman was with his sister and her boyfriend, and the trio were visiting someone staying at the hotel.
Salisbury Fire Department spokesman Chris Kepley said the death was being treated for now as a diving accident.
An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death, whether it was from drowning or a blow to the head when Coleman jumped into the pool, police said.
People at the hotel started CPR on Coleman after he was pulled from the water, and crew members with the Salisbury Fire Department and Rowan Emergency Medical Services took over on their arrival and on the way to Rowan Regional Medical Center.
Wilborn said Coleman was never revived during the life-saving efforts.
Coleman apparently hit his head while diving into the hotel pool.
“I believe it knocked him out,” Wilborn said.
As with most hotel pools, there is no diving board and guests swim at their own risk, without a lifeguard.
It’s not known how long Coleman was in the water before someone tried to revive him.
“Apparently just a few minutes,” Wilborn said.
The Days Inn is located at 321 Bendix Drive near Interstate 85. Emergency dispatches first reported that Coleman was 28 years old.
Firefighters on the scene took over CPR about 5:46 p.m.
Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263 or mwineka@salisburypost.com.