LAKE MURRAY — Crews from the Newberry County Water Rescue and Dive Team, Department of Natural Resources and Richland County recovered the body of a 64-year-old man who went missing while swimming in Lake Murray Saturday.
Richland County Coroner Gary Watts identified the man as Henry Alexander Bass of Cordova. Bass was recovered around 11 a.m. Sunday in approximately 45 feet of water near the Coast Guard station.
This is the second drowning in a week and Prosperity Rescue Chief and Dive Team member Glenn Hamm said he encourages those who enter the water to use a flotation device.
”I highly encourage anyone who enters the water to ensure that they have a PFD (personal flotation device) or other approved flotation device with them,” he said. “A person can become distressed quickly and unexpectedly. Wearing a PFD or having a flotation aid in hand greatly increases the chances for survival.”
He added that the Newberry County Water Rescue and Dive Team takes pride in assisting other agencies in times of need.
“The Newberry County Water Rescue and Dive team is proud to work with neighboring agencies to respond to the public in a time of need. There are very few certified Water Rescue and Dive teams and it takes deliberate coordination to ensure the safety of the public,” he said. “The training is hard, the equipment is expensive and the missions require a lot of manpower. Teamwork across jurisdictional lines is key to a successful mission.”
