Christopher Brooks dies in fatal Laurens County boating accident
Fatal Laurens County boating accident death of Christopher Brooks – Obituary
Christopher Brooks, a 52-year-old resident of Laurens County, was found dead on Monday evening following a prolonged search on the Oconee River. Laurens County EMA Director Bill Laird confirmed that Brooks’ body was discovered at approximately 7:30 p.m., about half a mile downstream from the site where his boat collided with a tree on Saturday afternoon. The body was submerged under roughly 12 feet of water.
Brooks’ family has been informed of his passing.
According to earlier reports from Laurens County Sheriff Larry Dean, Brooks was boating with his wife around 1:45 p.m. on Saturday when their vessel struck a tree near a bend upstream from the Shady Creek boat landing. The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office initially posted on social media about an active emergency near Shady Field boat landing at around 4 p.m. Saturday.
Search and rescue teams from the Laurens County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office immediately started looking for Brooks. Dive teams from neighboring Treutlen and Baldwin counties also joined, with drone technology aiding the search efforts. The swift current of the Oconee River made the search difficult.
Officials stated that Brooks was not wearing a life jacket during the accident. Sheriff Dean noted that this incident was the third boating accident in Laurens County this year, with all involved individuals reportedly not wearing life jackets.
Authorities strongly advise all boaters to wear life jackets, especially when navigating rivers with fast-moving currents like those currently in the Oconee River.
For families affected by tragedies like this, the More Than A Number program provides resources and support, helping loved ones connect with journalists in a less intrusive way. The initiative, created by Justin Baxley, includes guides and forms to assist families during difficult times. More information about More Than A Number is available on 13WMAZ+.
