By Joe Johnson
A Winterville man was one of two people who reportedly drowned in Lake Lanier over the Independence Day holiday weekend.
It has been reported by several media outlets that at about 5:30 p.m. Friday, officials from the state Department of Natural Resources, Hall and Forsyth counties responded to a drowning at the lake’s Duckett Mill Campground.
The victim reportedly was identified as 59-year-old Bruce Lee Hild of Winterville. According to reports, investigators said that Hild jumped out of a boat and never resurfaced.
Authorities were able to locate Hild and his body was recovered at around 7:00 p.m.
Public Affairs Officer Mark McKinnon told CBS46 that Hild's death was classified as a boating fatality since he entered the water from a moving vessel.
Then at about 12:30 p.m. Saturday, authorities responded to another drowning at Lanier Park on Lake Lanier. DNR spokesperson Mark McKinnon told 11Alive that a 45-year-old man was swimming at the beach area when he went under.
He was pulled from the water by another swimmer, but did not survive, the television station reported McKinnon as saying.
Authorities did not immediately release the victim's name because his family had not yet been notified.