ATHENS, Ala. — UPDATE 6:50 PM: Limestone County Coroner Mike West has released the name of the person who drowned in Limestone County this morning. It is Thomas Edward Whitmire, 86, of Town Creek, AL.
From ALEA:
A marine-related incident that occurred at approximately 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 31, has claimed the life of a Town Creek man. Edward Whitmire, 86, was attempting to exit Wheeler Lake at the boat ramp near the Cowford Boat Campground in Limestone County when the vessel he was on began to sink and eventually capsized. Whitmire went below the water’s surface approximately 15 yards from the boat ramp and never resurfaced. Whitmire’s body was recovered at approximately 1:10 p.m. near the location where he went missing.
The following agencies responded and assisted in the search and recovery effort: the Florence Police Department’s Dive Team, Limestone County Sheriff's Office, Limestone County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), Morgan County Rescue Squad, Athens Fire Department along with Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Marine Patrol Division. Nothing further is available as ALEA Marine Patrol Troopers continue to investigate.
UPDATE 2:40 PM: Athens Fire & Rescue confirm that rescuers have recovered a body following a search at Cowford Boat Launch.
Our previous reporting:
Athens Fire & Rescue and other rescue crews are investigating after an overturned boat was found near Cowford on Tuesday. Fire Chief James Hand said a 911 call around 8:11 a.m. led several agencies to respond. They are now searching for a person who is believed to be in the water.
There is one survivor and the is still ongoing for another.
