FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Search efforts for a missing man have transitioned into a recovery effort as crews continue to scour the depths of the Lake Lanier.
According to Department of Natural Resouces (DNR) spokesperson Mark McKinnon, game wardens were called to the scene of a possible drowning off the shore of the Vanns Tavern day use area on Lake Lanier around 6:15 p.m. Friday.
By Saturday, Sgt. Lee Brown also with the DNR confirmed that the search had transitioned to a recovery effort for the victim, described as a 25-year-old black male who apparently knew how to swim.
Brown said that initially, a number of people were aboard a double-decker pontoon boat that also had a slide. They were using the slide to go swimming in the lake.
Brown said that one of the people needed some help, so the victim went into the water and tried to help but then began to struggle as well.
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According to Brown, when game wardens arrived, they pulled two others out of the water who were trying to help the victim.
Brown said that the victim could have become fatigued or experienced shock due to the temperature of the water.
Sonar was used in the search Friday evening, but it was called off for the night after sundown.
DNR crews resumed their search at about 8 a.m. Saturday but were forced to limit their efforts due to boat traffic. They eventually called off the search until Sunday.
During that time, people arriving at the Vanns Tavern area found that park closed.
Since January, there have been two drownings on Lake Lanier and four boating fatalities.
Crews continue their search for missing boater at Lake Lanier
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