Memorial Day weekend is a time when many families and friends take to the outdoors at the lakes around Georgia. Unfortunately, multiple accidents at state waterways left at least seven people died over the weekend, including a 20-year-old man who drowned on Sunday afternoon at Margaritaville on Lake Lanier. Game wardens from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources used sonar to locate the man’s body underwater, which was then recovered by members of the Hall County Fire Department. The incident occurred on the opening weekend of Margaritaville’s summer season.
The drowning at Margaritaville came just one day after a 5-year-old child drowned at Lake Allatoona. The child was reportedly last seen playing on a float in the lake before disappearing into the water. Game wardens were able to locate his body approximately two hours later by using side scan sonar.
On Saturday morning, five people were killed after two boats collided on Wilmington River. One of the boats was carrying six people, while the other was carrying three. Four people received treatments for injuries resulting from the accident on Saturday, including one who was airlifted to the hospital by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. Two others were confirmed dead, and three people were reported missing. The bodies of the missing — including a male in his mid-30s and two younger men — were located on Sunday. Four of the five fatalities from the crash were members of the same family. One of the survivors of the accident has been arrested and charged with boating under the influence.
There are many reasons why boating accidents and incidents resulting in drownings at natural waterways can occur. Some of those reasons are the result of someone else’s negligence. If you’ve been injured or have lost a loved one due to the negligent actions of another individual or business, you could be eligible to seek compensation through Georgia’s personal injury claims process. Contact us to talk to an experienced attorney about your case for free.
