Man falls from dock and drowns at Lake Lanier

A 28-year-old man apparently drowned early Sunday morning after falling from a dock at Lake Lanier and hitting his head on a boat. He never resurfaced.

Alcohol was involved in the incident, which is being considered an accident, said Nicole Bailes, a spokeswoman for the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.

Five divers on Sunday were searching the lake, which reaches depths of 50 feet near the docks at Sunset Cove, Bailes said.

“When you couple alcohol with boat docks that are fairly narrow, the potential is there for an accident to happen,” she said.

Sonar equipment was being shipped from south Georgia to assist with the search, she said.

When that equipment arrives, divers from the sheriff’s office will be assisted by the Department of Natural Resources.