Quiet on Lake Hartwell Over July 4th Holiday, Two Deaths on Lake Lanier

It was a busy but otherwise safe July 4th weekend on Lake Hartwell, according to DNR Law Enforcement Officer Craig Fulghum.

Fulghum tells WLHR News there were no BUI’s issued and no accidents or drownings.

It was a different story on Lake Lanier, however, where DNR Law Enforcement spokesman Mark McKinnon said there was one drowning, one boating fatality and 13 BUI’s issued over the holiday weekend.

McKinnon said at approximately 5:30 p.m on Friday, July 3rd, Georgia Game Wardens, along with Hall and Forsyth counties, responded to drowning at Duckett Mill Campground on Lake Lanier.

A 59-year-old male, identified as 59-year old Bruce Lee Hild of Winterville, Ga, jumped out of his boat and never resurfaced.

He was located a couple of hours later and his body was recovered at approximately 7:00 p.m.

McKinnon said Hild’s death is being classified as a boating fatality since he entered the water from a moving vessel.

Then Saturday afternoon at about 12:30p Georgia Game Wardens responded to drowning at Lanier Park on Lake Lanier.

A 45-year-old male was swimming at the beach area, went under, and did not resurface.

He was pulled from the water by another swimmer.  He is identified as Jesus Jimenes of Kileen, Texas.