Valdosta Fire and Police Departments Coordinate Rescue and Recovery Efforts in Tragic Boating Incident

Valdosta Fire Department and Valdosta Police Department responded to the report of a potential drowning on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at approximately 07:35 pm.  Valdosta Police and Valdosta Fire arrived on the scene to discover that one of the two men fishing was still missing after their boat capsized.  Additional resources had already been requested, including SGMC Health EMS, a Georgia State Patrol helicopter, drones, a boat from Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, Lowndes County Fire Rescue, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Turner County Sheriff’s Office, and Coffee County Fire.

Rescue efforts continued until all resource capabilities were exhausted for the conditions at 01:30 am on Monday. Recovery operations resumed at sunrise on Monday, February 19, 2024.  Two hours into the second operational period, the victim was located by divers.  Valdosta Police Department took custody of the body and had it transported to Valdosta-Lowndes Regional Crime Laboratory.  Valdosta Fire and Police Departments extend prayers and condolences to the family and all those involved.