A South Carolina father’s body was recovered from a lake near the Georgia border after he was missing since a weekend boating accident.
According to Columbia County Deputy Coroner Harriet Garrison, the 44-year-old man was found in J. Strom Thurmond Lake around 11:35 am Tuesday.
Garrison told WJBF News Channel 6, that the body is that of Danny Byers, of Warrenville, South Carolina.
Garrison says, Byers and three friends were bowfishing Saturday night on Thurmond Lake when their boat capsized in Clarks Hill Lake around 11 pm.
The friends swam to shore, but Byers did not make it to the shore, Garrison said.
Byers’ family was deeply saddened by the news and were asking for prayers.
“(Danny Byers’ family) as well as the rest of our family need your prayers and support during this horrific time in our lives,” wrote Byers’ sister, Karen Byers Beard.
“Thanks to all of you who have been here for us if not in person but in heart and through reaching out in phone calls and texts. We appreciate everything,” Beard added.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources said they believe the boat capsized because of failure of weight distribution in the 15 ft boat.
Three of the survivors were found when a fisherman passed them in the water.
Helicopters and boats — including 3 three sonar boats — were involved in the search.
Captain Mark Padgett says a boat was found at 8:08 p.m. Monday night. After that discovery, DNR officials were able to narrow the search area down for a missing boater,
Byers’ body was recovered around 1 pm Tuesday.
The cause of his death is being listed as Accidental Drowning. Byers’ body is being sent to the GBI Crime Lab for an autopsy.
