Edward Whitmire dies in fatal Wheeler Lake boat accident
Fatal Wheeler Lake boat accident death of Edward Whitmire – Obituary
Rescue teams have discovered the body of Edward Whitmire at Wheeler Lake near the Cowford Boat Launch following a boat capsizing incident.
According to the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, two men were fishing on the lake at around 8 a.m. Wednesday. As they were heading back to the boat ramp, an issue arose, prompting them to move away from the ramp and attempt the return again.
The sheriff’s office reported that the boat began taking on water. While one of the men managed to reach the shore, the other went underwater and did not resurface.
Edward Whitmire, 86, was identified by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) and his body was found at approximately 1:10 p.m. near the location where he had disappeared.
Athens Fire Chief James Hand indicated that the boat was discovered capsized in the water near Cowford Road. The fire and rescue team received a 911 call after someone located the overturned boat.
Due to the ongoing investigation, Athens Fire & Rescue requested the public to avoid the area and surrounding waterway until further notice around 11:40 a.m.
The response involved the Florence Police Department’s Dive Team, Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, Limestone County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), Morgan County Rescue Squad, Athens Fire Department, and Troopers with ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division.
Fatal Wheeler Lake boat accident death of Edward Whitmire – Obituary Rescue teams have discovered the body of Edward Whitmire at Wheeler Lake near the Cowford Boat Launch following a boat capsizing incident. According to the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, two men were fishing on the lake at around 8 a.m. Wednesday. As they were…
Fatal Wheeler Lake boat accident death of Edward Whitmire – Obituary Rescue teams have discovered the body of Edward Whitmire at Wheeler Lake near the Cowford Boat Launch following a boat capsizing incident. According to the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, two men were fishing on the lake at around 8 a.m. Wednesday. As they were…