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SCDNR News

SCDNR Dive Team concludes successful search and recovery operation on Lumber River

April 28, 2021

NICHOLS, S.C.— Members of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources’ (SCDNR)’s Dive Team made a successful recovery in the search for a missing swimmer on the Lumber River in Horry County on April 27 at approximately 10:30 p.m.

This incident occurred at the Ricefield Cove Landing on the Lumber River. Witnesses reported that a young man jumped into the river from the boat ramp dock and failed to resurface. SCDNR’s Law Enforcement Division was notified of the incident at approximately 3:30 p.m. and responded immediately to the landing where they assisted personnel from other agencies, including Horry County Fire Rescue (HCFR), the Horry County Police Department, the Mullins Fire Department and others. After several hours of searching in the vicinity of the boat ramp, a boat from HCFR using side-scanning sonar was able to direct a team of SCDNR divers to the body of the missing individual.

“As always in these tragic situations, our hearts go out to the friends and family of this young man, and we are proud of our officers’ work in going the extra mile to help bring closure to a grieving family,” said SCDNR Dive Team Supervisor, Sgt. Dwayne Rogers.

Dive team members Josh Walters and Ronnie Floyd made the recovery. The Horry County Coroner’s Office has custody of the body and will release any information regarding the individual’s identity and cause of death at the conclusion of their investigation.

The men and women of the SCDNR’s “A.I.R” (Aquatic Investigations and Recovery) Team are sworn law enforcement officers specially trained in the use of diving gear. Team members participate in underwater searches for drowning victims and assist SLED and other law enforcement agencies with evidence recovery in criminal investigations in addition to their regular duties as state conservation officers in their home counties.

Media Contact: David Lucas, Public Information Coordinator, (843) 610-0096