Authorities identified the victim of a boating accident that happened Wednesday morning on Wheeler Lake. State Troopers say Edward Whitmire, 86, of Town Creek was attempting to exit Wheeler Lake at the boat ramp near the Cowford Boat Campground when the vessel he was on began to sink and eventually capsized.
Troopers say Whitmire went below the water's surface approximately 15 yards from the boat ramp and never resurfaced. Authorities say his body was recovered just after 1 p.m. near where he went missing.
The Florence Police Department's Dive Team, Limestone County Sheriff's Office, Limestone County EMA, Morgan County Rescue Squad, Athens Fire, along with ALEA's Marine Patrol Division responded and assisted in the search and recovery efforts.Â
ALEA Marine Patrol Troopers will continue to investigate.
