UPDATE: 24-year-old identified after boats capsize in Washington County
Sheriff Joel Cochran says rescue efforts are underway and DNR has been called to investigate.
UPDATE (8/25/2025) A man has been identified after fatally drowning in Washington County, according to Sheriff Joel Cochran.
The victim was identified as 24-year-old Brandon Still Jr. of Warrenton.
Cochran said four people were fishing August 24 at Hamburg State Park, with two people in each boat. One of the boats leaned over and began taking on water.
“The boat leaned a little bit too much and got water in it,” Cochran said, adding that the boat started sinking.
The second boat moved alongside to help, but when one of the passengers from the sinking boat tried to climb aboard, it caused the second boat to capsize.
Both boats overturned, leaving all four people in the water. One person swam ashore for help, two others managed to stay afloat but could not swim, and Still went underwater and drowned, according to Cochran.
ORIGINAL (8/24/2025)
MITCHELL, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says deputies and first responders are working a “boating incident with a drowning” in the 4900 block of Hamburg State Park Road.
Cochran says rescue efforts are underway, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources has been called to investigate.
He urged people to use caution when approaching the area.
No further details have been released.
