Drowning victim may still be in Sockem Dog Rapid

Crews spent nine hours yesterday on the Chattooga searching for Thomas Hill’s body. Incident Commander Scott Loftis says two dogs indicated the Florida man may still be in the Five Falls area and two different dogs join the recovery operation today to see if they respond in the same area. Since last week’s raft mishap, more than 240 responders and administrative support personnel have worked as part of the operation. Crews from Columbia and Lexington County are to add a fresh perspective today and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources will again search from the air. Loftis said, “Any future options will be directed by the same things we face every day – the river’s flow levels and the safety of our responders. We’re always at the mercy of the river flowing downhill.”