Beech Island man found dead in Savannah River on Sunday
Apr. 17—Authorities are investigating after a Beech Island man was found dead in the Savannah River on Sunday.
On April 15, two friends were kayaking from Savannah Rapid Park in Evans, Georgia, and paddled down stream until they reached an area of rapids, Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables said in a media release.
The pair then exited their kayaks and began to swim in the rapids, Ables said.
After swimming several times, one of the men became distressed and called out for help before going under water, Ables said.
A witness heard the calls for help and alerted authorities around 3:50 p.m., Ables said.
The male friend was later located by authorities when he returned to the area looking for his friend, Ables said.
The victim was identified as 35-year-old Tommy C. Bellmay, of Beech Island, Ables said.
His body was recovered by divers with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources around noon Sunday in the area of Indian Rock Court in North Augusta.
An autopsy will be conducted in Newberry.
The Aiken County Coroner's Office and the North Augusta Department of Public Safety are investigating the incident.
