A 24-year-old man is dead after being electrocuted in the waters of Lake Lanier on Thursday evening.
Around 5:30 p.m., Thomas Milner jumped into the water from his family’s dock and shortly after was heard screaming for help, according to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. The area is off Dove Trail and not far from Little Ridge Park.
A family friend tried to pull Milner from the water using a ladder but was unsuccessful, the sheriff’s office said. Nearby neighbors then approached in a boat and one person jumped in the water to help. That person described a burning sensation that he recognized as electric shock, officials said. The man swam ashore, turned off the power box and re-entered the water to pull Milner onto the dock.
A family member then began CPR until first responders arrived, and Milner was rushed to Northside Hospital Forsyth. He died Friday, the sheriff’s office said.
It’s not clear what caused the water to become electrified. An electrical current can be leaked into the water from any fixture requiring electricity, whether it’s a light on a dock or an electric boat ramp. Officials have not provided additional details as they continue to investigate.
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