RedactedNarrative: On May 1, 2019 at approximately 15:30 hours, Sergeant was notified by Region 5 personnel in reference to a possible drowning on the Alapaha River on US 319 at the Tift/Irwin County line. Game Warden (GW) responded to the call along with Game Warden First Class (GWFC). Upon arrival GW made contact with a Deputy on scene with the Irwin County Sheriff's Office.  An Irwin County Deputy responded to the location with a personal vessel and traveled approximately one hundred yards downstream of the US 319 bridge to where the witness had anchored his vessel on the Alapaha River when the victim Victim fell out of the vessel.
  	According to a statement made by Operator, Operator said Victim and himself had put on the Alapaha River at approximately 14:45 hours and were drifting down the river fishing. Operator said he was sitting in the front of the vessel and Victim was sitting in the rear of the vessel. Operator said Victim was laughing at him swatting horse flies when he heard a splash. Operator said he turned around and Victim was no longer in the vessel. Operator said Victim surfaced to the top of the water once and he tried to grab him but could not reach him. Operator said he immediately dropped an anchor on the vessel and dialed 911 for help.
  	Victim and Operator were fishing out of a green 14 foot Alumacraft vessel powered by a trolling motor. The Georgia Registration number of the vessel was GA0763HA with no expiration decal. No life jackets were in use or in the vessel. Upon inspection of the vessel, GWFC located a rod and reel in the rear of the vessel which had a broken line belonging to the victim. 
  	
  	The victim was dressed in full clothing wearing camouflage pants, a dark colored shirt, and black high top shoes. Victim also had a firearm on his side when we recovered his body which a deputy with the Irwin County's Sheriff Office took possession of for safety reasons. The victim had fishing line tangled tightly around his right wrist and arm. RFC was not able to observe any other injury.  
  	In conclusion, according to the physical evidence discovered and my observations of the vessel no personal flotation devices were in use at the time of incident. The vessel’s floor was cluttered with fixing tackle. No other evidence was found to contribute to why Victim fell overboard into the water and subsequently drown.  This is a true and accurate statement based on statements from those involved and knowledge acquired through investigation. This report is based solely on information, evidence, and statements provided at the time of incident and may change upon the discovery of new evidence.
  