Divers won't resume their search Wednesday for a 68-year-old, wheelchair-bound man who fell into Lake Allatoona while getting off a large boat on Saturday, authorities said.
"Because of the weather and other factors at the site, divers will not be used today to search," said Rick Lavender, a spokesman for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. He said Bartow County Fire and Sheriff's officials, along with DNR, will be checking the area, keeping an eye on the water.
Divers have searched the lake since Saturday afternoon after Tommy E. Moore, of Plainfield, Ind., fell into the lake at Park Marina. Moore was getting off the boat to return to a dock when the boat separated from the dock and Moore fell into the water, authorities said.
Moore was at the lake to attend a family reunion. He was not wearing a life jacket at the time he went into the water, authorities said. About 20 people on the boat at the time of the incident. Two of them jumped in immediately but weren't able to find Moore.
Rescuers recovered Moore's wheelchair during one of several dives they attempted on Saturday until visibility was affected by nightfall, authorities said. Since Saturday, divers have attempted to locate Moore. Rescue equipment -- including sonar and a drag system were hampered by the water's depth of about 60-75 feet; by cables underneath the dock, and by construction debris in the area, according to the DNR.
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