For the 2nd time this weekend, the Hall County Sheriff's Office along with the Hall County Fire Service’s, Dive Teams, responded to a report of a drowning in Lake Lanier. The latest drowning occurred at Old Federal Park in southern Hall County.
Several Hispanics had waded out to an island and where attempting to return when one of them went under. The victim went out to assist the struggling swimmer, an unidentified Jet Ski operator pulled the original struggling swimmer to safety, by this time the victim had also gotten into trouble, went under and drown.
Divers from both the Hall County Sheriff's Office and the Hall County Fire Services responded and immediately entered the water in an attempt to rescue the victim. Within minutes a Hall County Fire Services diver recovered the 17-year-old Hispanic male in approximately 11 feet of water, 70 yards from shore.
Paramedics began immediate resuscitation efforts and transported the victim to the Northeast Georgia Medical Center where he later died.
The victim is identified as 17 year old, Miguel Angel Cortez, of Gainesville, Georgia.
The incident remains under investigation by the Hall County Sheriff's Office.
1st Lieutenant Jeff Strickland
Uniform Patrol Division
Hall County Sheriff's Office