Recovery efforts continue on Chattooga

Recovery efforts continue today in the search for the body of 50-year-old Thomas Hill, who fell from a raft last week as part of a Sherwin-Williams corporate trip. “The team continues to work in dangerous conditions today to find Mr. Hill,” said Incident Commander Scott Loftis. “Safety has been our number one objective throughout the mission and it’s a credit to the folks out there that the more than 200 people involved have not suffered any injuries.” An aerial search originally planned for this morning by Greenville County Sheriff’s Office was delayed because of weather. A search-dog team may be available today to work along trails and shorelines. Oconee, Anderson, Pickens and Rabun counties, as well as Clemson University and commercial outfitter guides are participating in on-river operations. The U.S. Forest Service, American Red Cross and Sherwin-Williams continue to support the effort. The U.S. Forest Service is no longer requiring paddlers to portage Sock-em Dog Rapid. However, they may experience delays in that area due to continuing operations.