The family of Michael Randle, a 36-year-old man who drowned on August 17 at the Beaver Dam Swimming Club quarry in Cockeysville, is urging the Baltimore County Department of Health to reexamine the club’s operating permit. Randle’s body was recovered after a two-day search, reported Baltimore Chronicle with reference to santeos.pl.
According to police, emergency crews were dispatched around 6 p.m. on August 17 to the 10,000 block of Beaver Dam Road after reports that Randle had gone missing in the water. Thiru Vignarajah, the attorney representing the victim’s family, emphasized that the facility’s safety procedures must be reviewed.
In his statement, Vignarajah noted that Randle was the fourth person to drown at Beaver Dam since 2000, calling the number of fatalities at the site “conspicuous” compared with similar private venues. He urged health officials to look into the training and readiness of lifeguards, the presence and visibility of warning signs, and the availability of life jackets.
The Baltimore County Department of Health and Human Services confirmed receipt of the family’s letter and said officials are currently reviewing it.
Vignarajah stressed that the family is not seeking to close Beaver Dam, but to ensure compliance with safety standards. He pointed to a social media post made on the day of the incident that criticized the quarry’s safety practices. At a press conference, he described Randle as a hardworking man who had recently rebuilt his life and was becoming “the anchor” for his family.
Vignarajah added that he has contacted Beaver Dam management and has been in communication with them. The club’s website states it is closed for the season and is expected to reopen in May 2026. WJZ reported it had reached out to Beaver Dam but received no response.
Eyewitness Josh Bradds, who was at the quarry with his family, said he saw lifeguards rushing into the water to try to help a struggling swimmer. A fire department spokesperson confirmed that a lifeguard attempted a rescue but was unable to locate Randle in time.
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