Georgia Man Died at Lake Keowee Sunday

A 71 year-old Watkinsville, Georgia man died Sunday afternoon in the emergency department at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Jon Franklin Deans, 71, was swimming in Lake Keowee toward the poplar island “The Rock” at Fall Creek when he went underwater. Oconee 911 Communications was initially notified at 2:35 pm of a reported drowning.

Mr. Deans was recovered from the lake by bystanders with CPR initiated; he was taken to the landing were EMS provided further care prior to flying him by air ambulance to Greenville.

Mr. Deans was pronounced dead at 5:43 pm in the emergency department. An autopsy was performed on Tuesday morning; this exam concluded Mr. Deans died from a cardiac medical event. His manner of death has been classified Natural.