Peace corps says volunteer dies in swimming accident in Namibia

JOHANNESBURG – The Peace Corps has confirmed the death of an American volunteer in Africa's southwestern country of Namibia.

Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet said on Monday that John Petersen died in a swimming accident on Dec. 31, 2014.

Namibian media reported that Petersen's body was found on Sunday morning between rocks on the Kunene River, where he had been swimming.

The Peace Corps says Petersen, 24, was working at a community skills development center in the city of Swakopmund, west of the capital Windhoek.

The Westborough, Mass. native worked with locals on building small businesses.