Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Conducting Death Investigation after Responding to Reported Drowning

(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------------The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation this evening after responding to reports of a drowning that occurred earlier today on Lake Keowee near High Falls County Park.

The E-911/Communications Center received a call around 4:08pm today of reports of a drowning. Deputies from the Uniform Patrol Bureau, Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office, Deputies assigned to the Marine Unit, Oconee County Emergency Services and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources all responded to the scene.

Based on information that has been gathered during the investigation, a group was on a boat in a cove on Lake Keowee. A child, who was swimming in the water, reportedly went into distress. An adult male went into the water to assist the child and went under the water. The adult male did not re-emerge.

The adult male was located in the water around 8:45pm. The Oconee County Coroner’s Office was notified. The Coroner’s Office will release the name of the deceased as well as the cause and manner of death.

At this time, Investigators do not suspect foul play in regards to the death and there is no danger to the public.

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation.