GA man found, identified after drowning in Oconee River Greenway

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — The body of the swimmer reported missing Thursday evening has been found and identified Georgia Department of Natural Resources officials confirm to Channel 2 Action News.

Around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Milledgeville police were called to the Oconee River Greenway regarding two men struggling in the water.

Officials say Thomas Hunter Knight, 26, of Thomaston entered the river from the boat ramp and was attempting to make his way to a brick pillar in the center of the river when he began to struggle and went under.

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Knight’s brother attempted to save him, but he was unsuccessful and was able to safely get himself out of the water, officials said.

The Milledgeville Police Department, Baldwin Dive Team and Fire and Rescue attempted to locate Knight and continued search efforts into Friday morning.

With the use of side-scan SONAR Game Wardens found Knight a short distance from where he was last seen and his body was recovered just before 2 p.m.

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According to Athens-Clarke County officials, the Oconee Rivers Greenway System provides 3.1 miles of natural surface hiking-only trails and eight miles of concrete.

The Oconee River Greenway has since reopened.

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