CROSS, S.C. (WCIV)--On Saturday, Feb. 11, two fishermen launched their boat in the Diversion Canal in Cross on a fishing trip in Lake Marion.
According to Berkeley County Rescue Squad Chief Bill Salisbury, the plans were to return Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning. They had camping equipment aboard. When they did not return Sunday around noon, family members notified the authorities.
A search was launched shortly after noon that included boats from the Berkeley County Rescue Squad, Berkeley County Sheriff's Office, and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Also used in the search was a DNR fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter from a local volunteer.
At 2:53 p.m. the DNR airplane spotted the overturned boat several hundred yards from the mouth of the canal. After a search of the area, the fishermen were not found. The search will resume on Monday morning.
The men have been identified as 33 year old Douglas Smith of Ravenel and 28 year old Michael Muse of St Stephen. They were in a 14 foot aluminum boat. The accident is under investigation by DNR.
