Demorest man Drowns in Lake Hartwell over weekend

Georgia DNR Officer Craig Fulghum reports a tragic accident at Lake Hartwell over the weekend that resulted in the death of a Demorest man.

According to Fulghum, at 8:20 on Saturday night, Georgia DNR game wardens and the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office responded to a possible drowning call on Lake Hartwell.

Witnesses say that Eric Garrison Thurmond, 45 of Demorest, was swimming in 10-15 foot water near the Holcomb Access Boat Ramp and was recovered by witnesses who brought him to the shoreline.

EMS personnel arrived and transported Thurmond to Stephens County Hospital where he was pronounced dead.