Plane Crash on Lake Hartwell; 4 Fatalities Confirmed

Four people are confirmed dead by authorities after a plane crash Friday afternoon on Lake Hartwell along the Stephens County and Oconee County, South Carolina border.

This weekend, the Oconee County, South Carolina coroner identified the four individuals who died.

They are the pilot, 71-year-old Charles D. Smith of Warsaw, Indiana and three passengers, all of Warsaw, Indiana; 44-year old Scott A. Smith, 54-year-old Tony L. Elliott, and 51-year-old Scott D. Bibler.

Reports indicate that Oconee County, South Carolina Emergency Services received a call about the crash just after 3:30 p.m. Friday.

Authorities on both sides of the lake searched for more than two hours before finding the main crash site in a remote wooded area of the Oconee County, South Carolina side of the lake, near the Tabor Boat Ramp.

Stephens County authorities found a large stretch of various pieces of debris, reportedly stretching from the Spring Branch area to Currahee Point, which is located across the lake from Tabor Boat Ramp.

Debris was also located in Lake Hartwell itself.

First responders used boats and a helicopter to access the plane crash site and assist on Friday evening.

Oconee County authorities report that the Federal Aviation Administration has been called in to investigate.

According to reports, the plane was a single engine Piper and the four people on board were headed to the Oconee County Airport to watch the Clemson football game this weekend.