Charges forthcoming in False Drowning on Lake Keowee

Oconee County authorities say charges are forthcoming against a man after his false story about a friend on his boat disappearing while swimming in Lake Keowee kept rescuers busy for hours. Oconee County 911 received a call Saturday afternoon about a drowning on Lake Keowee after the caller said their friend jumped in the water but did not resurface. Divers and other emergency personnel spent nearly four hours looking for the man who was not missing after all. Oconee County Fire Chief Charles King said 40 people from Salem Fire and Rescue, Oconee County Dive Team, Emergency Services and Sheriff’s Office, SC Department of Natural Resources, Vineyards Fire Department in Pickens County, and EMS responders from Greenville Hospital System and the Oconee Memorial Hospital. Crews used sonar equipment to check the area between Fall Creek Landing and Keowee Town Landing. Chief King says the man reported missing was able to swim back to shore after the boat broke down. Authorities discovered he was all right when they went to his home and found him there. King says the boater who made the false report told officials he did not recall the other man swimming away safely. The fire chief says wildlife officials and deputies say they will charge the man.