False Story warrants Search on Lake Keowee

Oconee and Pickens county rescue crews searched nearly four hours for a drowning victim Saturday afternoon on Lake Keowee. However, the victim was at home, explains Oconee County Fire Chief Charlie King. “Saturday afternoon, we had a gentleman call in to 911 shortly after 4pm reporting that his friend had jumped into Lake Keowee off a boat and did not resurface. Oconee County, Pickens County and the South Carolina DNR responded with approximately 40 people. They began both an investigation into the incident and a search for the missing man using three boats with side-scan sonar technology to look at the bottom of the lake to try to find the missing man. Several hours into the incident, they were finally able to get a name and address and found him at home.” Chief King says the man reported missing was able to swim back to shore after the boat broke down. Crews spent four hours on the lake between Fall Creek Landing and Keowee Town Landing. Oconee County authorities say charges are forthcoming against the man who gave the false story, which warranted the search and rescue operation.