Splashing sound sparks search for missing boater, Georgia cops say. Body later found
A splashing sound sparked a search for a missing boater who later was found dead on a Georgia lake, officials told news outlets.
The man was on a docked boat with a group of friends when he lost his sunglasses in Lake Allatoona, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Law Enforcement Division.
“The witnesses stated that he had dropped his sunglasses into the water and that he possibly had jumped in to retrieve them,” the state agency told McClatchy News in an email.
People on the lake didn’t watch the man go into the water but heard a splashing noise and never saw him resurface, officials told WSB-TV and WAGA.
State officials responded to a 911 call about a possible drowning just before 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 10. Divers later reported finding the body of the missing boater under the dock.
The man was identified as 45-year-old Dehaven Prillerman, and his “body was turned over to the county coroner,” officials said.
Lake Allatoona is roughly 35 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta.
Staying safe on the water
At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.
Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.
“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”
This story was originally published June 12, 2023 at 9:32 AM with the headline "Splashing sound sparks search for missing boater, Georgia cops say. Body later found."
