A 23-year-old man, Gavrie Whitlock, drowned in Lake Lanier after slipping off a dock, making him the 38th person to drown in a Georgia lake in 2023. Lake Lanier has seen the most drownings in four years, with eight occurring there this year. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has recorded 38 drownings, 121 boating under the influence cases, 94 boating incidents, and nine boating fatalities in Georgia lakes so far this year. WSBTV.com News Staff reported
Gavrie Whitlock, a 23-year-old resident of Snellville, tragically lost his life on Saturday after slipping off a dock and falling into Lake Lanier. His body was recovered by officials near the Holiday Marina on the lake, marking the 38th drowning at a Georgia lake in 2023.
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The Georgia Department of Natural Resources keeps a record of boating statistics for the state, and as of Labor Day, there have been 38 drownings, 121 boating under the influence cases, 94 boating incidents, and nine boating fatalities on Georgia lakes this year. Lake Lanier, which spans multiple metro counties, is one of the most popular destinations for boating and swimming in Georgia.
Out of the 38 drownings this year, eight have occurred at Lake Lanier. In addition to Whitlock’s tragic accident, another fatality at the lake involved a 24-year-old man named Thomas Milner who died from electrocution after jumping into the water. However, none of the state’s boating fatalities in 2023 have taken place at Lake Lanier.
To put this year’s numbers into perspective, the 38 drownings at Lake Lanier in 2023 represent the highest number in the past four years. In 2022, there were six drownings; in 2021, four; in 2020, seven; and in both 2019 and 2018, there were eight drownings each year. Looking further back, since 1994, there have been only three years when the number of drownings reached double digits: 10 in 2011 and 2014, and 11 in 1999.
The list of drownings at Lake Lanier in 2023 includes several tragic incidents. On March 25, Timothy Cline Thomas was found dead at Bolding Mill Park after his family members reported him missing and his body was discovered a short distance from his car at the boat ramp. On May 12, Melvin Warnecke, a 78-year-old man, drowned at War Hill Park on the Forsyth-Dawson county line. Officials responded to reports of a drowning and found Warnecke’s body 20 feet from the water. Terry Daugherty, 57, was reported missing at the Sunrise Cove Marina on May 22, and his body was later found alongside the dock where his boat was kept. Tracey Stewart, a 61-year-old from Stone Mountain, disappeared while swimming from a boat near East Bank Park on July 29 and was later found dead in 46 feet of water. Leonardo Martinez, a boat mechanic, went missing while swimming near Van Pugh Park on July 29, and his body was recovered on August 3. Brayan Tarasona, a 22-year-old, drowned at Van Pugh Park on August 21 while swimming with friends. Edgar Steven Cruz Martinez, 23, was found dead in 10 feet of water at Lanier Park on August 26. Finally, Gavrie Alexander Whitlock’s tragic accident on September 2 marks the most recent drowning at Lake Lanier.
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It is important to note that these numbers may be updated as officials confirm information about each drowning incident.
Lake Lanier continues to attract visitors for its recreational activities, but the recent increase in drownings has raised concerns about safety measures and awareness. Authorities and organizations are urging lake-goers to prioritize safety by wearing life jackets, practicing responsible boating, and being cautious around the water. As the year continues, it is hoped that these efforts will help reduce the number of drownings and keep visitors safe on Georgia’s lakes..
