On August 28th, 2023 at approximately 4:40pm, operator and his wife was drifting in their pontoon around the Hawe Creek area, near channel marker 72, on Clarks Hill lake in McCormick County. Operator decided to get in the water and cool off due to the heat. It is unknown how he became separated from the vessel. His wife stated that he could swim but was not an active swimmer anymore so, he would usually just hold on to the rear tow bar and not let go while he dipped in. 

He did have pre-existing health issues.  He did have pre-existing health issues including a pacemaker, congestive heart failure due to A-fib, and multiple stints including two in each leg. As he got separated from the vessel, his wife tried to render aid by getting in the water and taking him a pool float. He instructed her to get in the vessel and come get him. 

Before she could reach him with the vessel, he went under water, resurfaced, and then went under once more and was not seen again. After multiple attempts to locate the victim, his wife called 911. The deceased victim surfaced and was recovered around 10:30am on August 31st, 2023 after an extended search.

Clarks Hill Lake