A 21-year-old Stone Mountain man drowned Sunday night while trying to swim across a cove on Lake Lanier, officials said.
Hall County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Deputy Nicole Bailes said witnesses called 911 at about 7 p.m. to report that Daruba McFarlane had gotten about 25 yards from the shore near Buford’s Big Creek Park before he “became distressed” and went under. Authorities from Hall County and the Department of Natural Resources used sonar and ultimately located McFarlane’s body in about 17 feet of water.
The search took about two hours.
“McFarlane’s body was recovered and there were no signs of foul play observed,” Bailes said. “An autopsy is scheduled to be performed Tuesday.”
DNR spokesman Mark McKinnon said the drowning was the first reported to his agency this Labor Day weekend.
About the Author
