Update: Body of drowning victim recovered Saturday

Published 2:03 pm Saturday, June 23, 2018

Covington County Sheriff Dennis Meeks said rescue units have recovered the body of the man who drowned in Gantt Lake on Friday.

The body of Johnny Etheridge, 71, of Paul, was recovered early Saturday afternoon, Sheriff Dennis Meeks said.

Covington County E911 operates received a call that the man had drowned in Gantt Lake around 4:30 p.m. yesterday, while inter-tubing with his grandchildren near Greanbriar Loop.

The Covington County Sheriffs Office along with Opp Fire, ALEA, Elba Fire, Coffee County Sheriffs Office searched with sonar equipment until 10 Friday night. Monroe County’s rescue team brought three boats and joined the search beginning at 7 Saturday morning, Meeks said.

Meeks expressed his appreciation to all agencies for their help.