GEORGETOWN, S.C. – The Coast Guard ended its search for a missing person in the Waccamaw River, S.C., Thursday at approximately 5:30 p.m. after divers from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources recovered the missing boater’s remains.
Four adults, one child and one infant were in a 15-foot boat when it capsized near the shore of the Waccamaw River in the vicinity of Sandy Island, just north of Georgetown Wednesday night. One of the adults swam to shore and dialed 911 for assistance from a cell phone. 911-dispatch relayed the phone call to the Coast Guard and other agencies to assist in the search.
A Good Samaritan rescued the infant from the water, and Tiffany Tucker and her 5-year old child also made it to shore safely. The infant is in critical condition at the Medical University of South Carolina. Two adults have been recovered earlier in the day by search and rescue personnel during the search.
The Coast Guard searched for a total of 27 hours with helicopters from Air Station Savannah, Ga., and Air Facility Charleston, S.C., and boats from Station Georgetown. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office and the Midway Fire Department have all participated in the search.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to family members and friends of the victims of this tragedy,” said Capt. Michael McAllister, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector Charleston.
