23-year-old man dies in Lake Marion boat crash

A boating accident at Santee killed one man last Thursday night.

First responders performed CPR, couldn’t revive victim

Editor’s note: This is an archived article from May 8, 2019.

Connor Lambert, 23-years-old of Williamsburg County, died last Thursday night in a boating crash at Santee. Clarendon County Coroner Bucky Mock send Lambert’s body to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston for an autopsy.

“The accident occurred shortly before 10 p.m. Lambert was taken to Alex Harvin Landing by first responders who performed CPR on him at the landing. They were unable to revive the young man,” said Mock.

Capt. Robert McCullough, public affairs officer with the SCDNR, said Lambert and another man were in an 18-foot Stratos bass boat. They struck a utility pole in an area called Potato Creek on the upper lake. The other boater was examined and released from McLeod Clarendon Hospital.

An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, said McCullough. He also reminded boaters to wear life jackets and use caution at night.

This time of year, more people are out on the water than have been in months, said McCullough.

“It’s critical that boaters don’t travel in areas that they are not familiar with, especially at night. And it’s very important that all boaters wear life jackets. Life jackets help keep boaters who fall out of boats or who are thrown from boats to stay afloat, as well as help in locating boaters in the water until help arrives. Life jackets can turn a potentially tragic accident into a funny story if worn appropriately,” he said.

“We want everyone to have a good time, but we want boaters to be safe. Please be aware of your surroundings while on the water. Always wear a life jacket. And please just use good judgment when boating,” he said.

About Brian Cope 2726 Articles
Brian Cope is the editor of Carolina Sportsman. He has won numerous awards for his writing, photography, and videography. He is a retired Air Force combat communications technician, and has a B.A. in English Literature from the University of South Carolina. You can reach him at brianc@sportsmannetwork.com.