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Body recovered after man paddle boarding went underwater at Lake Lanier, officials say

Authorities said 55-year-old Jeffrey McElfresh, of Louisville, Kentucky, was paddle boarding without a life jacket.

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A 55-year-old man's body has been recovered from Lake Lanier after he drowned Friday afternoon, authorities said.

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, just after 4:30 p.m. Georgia Game wardens responded to West Bank Park on the lake.

Authorities said 55-year-old Jeffrey McElfresh, of Louisville, Kentucky, was paddle boarding without a life jacket. DNR said the pool noodle McElfresh had floated away from him. 

"He attempted to retrieve it, became tired and went under," DNR said in a news release.

They said he reappeared shortly after, but went underwater again and didn't resurface. 

His body was recovered a short time later by Hall County Fire Service divers, according to DNR officials.

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office said Buford Dam Road was closed earlier but has since reopened.

UPDATE- Roadway is back open. Incident still under investigation. Buford Dam Road is currently closed to east bound traffic due to a drowning at the dam. No additional information is available at this time.

Posted by Forsyth County Sheriff's Office on Friday, July 16, 2021

    

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