2nd drowning in less than a month on Waccamaw River
For the second time in less than a month, a boater has apparently drowned in the Waccamaw River. Search teams recovered the latest victim yesterday.
Capt. Robert McCullough of the SCDNR said the boater, 75-year-old George Wharff of Yahala, Florida, was found lifeless around 2:30 p.m. Monday after he was reported missing late Sunday.
McCullough said the boater entered the water voluntarily around 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
“Two gentlemen had anchored and jumped off the back of the boat to swim and cool off a bit. A fisherman picked one of them up,” said McCullough as search teams were still looking for the second boater, Wharff.
Georgetown County Deputy Coroner Chase Ridgeway said while it appeared to be a drowning, the cause of death would not be confirmed until an autopsy is performed, which will take place this morning at the Grand Strand Medical Center.
“There were no signs of trauma, but we are going to do an autopsy to confirm the drowning,” said Ridgeway.
Late last month, 17-year-old Jacob Causey drowned in the Waccamaw River, also during an evening outing.
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