ANDERSON, S.C.—South Carolina authorities say a 33-year-old Georgia woman has drowned in Lake Hartwell.

Crystal Sabrina Lester of Athens was walking in shallow water Wednesday afternoon when she went underwater and did not resurface, Deputy Anderson County Coroner Don McCown said.

Lester stepped off a ledge into water that was about 13 feet deep, McCown said. It took rescuers about an hour to find her body.

McCown said low lake levels have made it difficult for even experienced swimmers and divers to keep track of where the water becomes deep. This is the sixth consecutive year that someone has drowned on Lake Hartwell during the July 4th holiday, he said.

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com