A 24-year-old man died after being electrocuted when he jumped off a dock into Georgia’s Lake Lanier on Thursday, news outlets reported.
The Georgia department of natural resources told news outlets that a neighbor was able to pull the man from the water. The man was taken to Northside Forsyth Hospital, where he later died.
WAGA-TV reported that the Forsyth county sheriff’s office identified the man as Thomas Milner.
The sheriff’s office told WAGA-TV that neighbors took a boat over to try to help Milner and one person jumped in the water. That person said that he felt a burning sensation that he recognized as electrical shock. He swam ashore, turned off a power box near the dock, and then re-entered the water to help Milner.
Electric shock drowning can occur when electrical current leaks into surrounding waters, causing a swimmer to become incapacitated, according to the Electric Shock Drowning Prevention Association, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and educating people on the risks of electric shock in water.
Milner’s mother told the local news outlet WANF that her son – who went by his middle name, Shepard – was gentle, kind and loved the lake.
“Shepard was known for his quirkiness, his humor and his dedication,” Martha Milner said to WANF.
Milner also said that the dock at their lake property was less than three years old and that the power box had been set up by a licensed electrician.
“It’s a freak accident,” a boater named Chris Morris said to WANF.
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