The body of the missing boater on the North Santee River found dead Tuesday afternoon

Georgetown, South Carolina – The body of boater who was reported missing near Harris Boat Landing on the North Santee River on Tuesday was recovered Tuesday afternoon by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resource’s Dive Team.

According to SCDNR, the received a call Tuesday morning around 8:35 in regards of a discovered truck and trailer still in position on the boat landing’s concrete ramp.

The one that made the call also added that there is an overturned boat was floating in the river, while the engine of truck was still running.

Crews immediately responded at the scene and dive teams were able to locate the body after short search of the area. Officially, the body of an adult male presumed to be the boat’s operator was found around 1:30 p.m.

According to SCDNR official statement, the body of the boater was found close to the overturned boat.

SCDNR also added they will investigate this incident as a boating accident since all the evidence suggest the boater lost control of the small aluminum jon boat while he was launching himself.

The boater tried to swim out and get back out of the water but without success.

The body was transferred to hospital for an autopsy.

While the dive team was looking for the missing boater, Georgetown County Sherriff’s Office deputies also responded at the scene.

Hunter Ellis, Rhett Bissell, and Ethan Adair assisted in the search, while the head of the operation was senior member Officer Ronnie Floyd.