Georgia DNR Joins in Search For Missing Boater on Lake Hartwell

Crews with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources are assisting the South Carolina DNR in the search for a missing man who may have drowned on Lake Hartwell over the weekend.

Georgia DNR Law Enforcement agent Craig Fulghum confirmed to WNEG News this morning he and other agents are part of the Georgia contingent helping in the search.

Divers this morning began searching the area around the Singing Pines Recreation Area.

Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride told WYFF TV4 they are using cadaver dogs today as part of the search for the missing man.

Search teams are also using sonar and air resources to try and find the missing boater.

South Carolina DNR dive teams first responded to a report of a missing boater and a possible drowning Saturday afternoon around 4:30p.

Officials say the couple was boating on the lake Saturday afternoon when they got caught in a sudden storm and their boat overturned throwing them into the water.

The woman told authorities she and her husband tried to make it to shore but got tired.

A passerby was able to rescue the woman from the water and got her safely to shore, but her husband remains missing.

Authorities report the couple’s boat ran aground Saturday night on the Georgia side in Hart County.

The names of the couple have not been released.

Sheriff McBride said crews will search through the next week if needed.

Meantime, McBride said the Singing Pines Recreation Area remains closed to the public during the search.