HALL COUNTY, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Just as divers with the Hall County Sheriff's Office and the Department of Natural Resources wrapped up their search for a 44-year-old drowning victim on Lake Lanier, a 17-year-old girl was tossed from a boat and severely cut by the propellers.
Sheriff's deputies said the drowning victim jumped from a boat to take a swim just after midnight Saturday. Investigators told CBS Atlanta that at some point he became distressed and went under and never resurfaced in the water near Lake Lanier Islands.
Investigators and dive team members spent the early morning hours gathering information. The dive team began their water search just after noon. According to the sheriff's office, the water depth in the search area ranges from 70 to 140 feet.
Sgt. Mike Burgamy with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources told CBS Atlanta the man who is missing is Jeffrey Nause.
At this time, the case is being investigated as an accidental drowning.
DNR is assisting Hall County in the investigation.
Meanwhile, the DNR is also looking into the boating accident that injured the 17-year-old girl near Aqualand Marina.
Investigators said the girl was tossed from the bow of a pleasure boat, when it was hit by a wave, at the same time the boat operator was attempting to turn around to pick up a male that had fallen off a kneeboard being pulled by the boat.
Investigators said the teenager's injuries, mostly to her leg and lower back, were severe but did not appear to be life-threatening. She was taken to Gwinnett Medical Center, which is a level-two trauma center. At last report she was alert and stable.
Both accidents are still under investigation.
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