One Week Since Drowning Accident, Search for Body Continues

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – It’s been one week since searchers started looking for the missing swimmer who drowned in the Ocmulgee River

Monday marked day seven of the search for the body of 24-year-old Aaron Cross.

“We continue to run our boats up and down the river using drags and sonar equipment to locate the victim and doing a surface search well below down river.” Cpt. Bob Lynn with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said.

Searchers have been out on the water for the past week combing the river thoroughly. Two cadaver dogs picked up a scent just off the river bank where searchers believe the body is located, but they haven’t found it yet.

“We plan to bring out the cadaver dogs back tomorrow [Tuesday] to see if they still pick up on this area or if the body may have drifted or floated down river to see if they hit on another location that we can concentrate the search area.” Lynn said.

The search efforts took to the sky as a helicopter flew over the river and searchers looked for any sign of the body.

“In case the body has surfaced and we overlooked it or maybe its in an area that we couldn’t get to with a boat that it would be easier to see in the air,” Lynn said.

Lynn says the cold water is the biggest challenge the searchers have faced.

“It just takes longer for recover efforts in cold water.”

But he hopes the recent warm weather will help them find Cross and bring closure to his family.

Searchers are bringing out another cadaver dog and the helicopter will fly over the river again on Tuesday. 41NBC will keep you updated as the search continues.