Body of missing kayaker at Port Bass in South Carolina found; identified

UPDATE: Shortly after the noon hour on Saturday, December 30, the body of a 47-year-old Fair Play man was located and recovered by SC DNR divers from Lake Hartwell near the Port Bass Development near Fair Play in Oconee County.

A kayak reportedly overturned on Wednesday afternoon at approximately 4:45 pm.

According to Oconee County Coroner Karl E. Addis, the man was discovered in depth of water of 44 feet; the water temperature at that depth was documented at 49 degrees Fahrenheit with a surface water temperature of 52.

The victim is identified as William Shane Haguewood; Age 47.

An autopsy will be performed on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 to assist with the death investigation.

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As reported Thursday by WNEG sister station WSNW in Seneca, SC, Dive teams are still searching for a kayaker who is believed to have drowned on Lake Hartwell in Oconee County, South Carolina. The search is taking place in the area of Port Bass boat ramp, which is directly across the state line from Tugalo State Park.

Oconee County Emergency Services, led by Director Scott Krein, were alerted to the situation around 5 p.m. on Wednesday when a kayaker reportedly capsized and did not resurface. The kayak was recovered, according to Krein, but crews were unable to locate the individual as of late yesterday, despite dive teams utilizing sonar and other equipment in an attempt to find the missing kayaker.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources also dispatched investigators to assist in the search. The search operation is expected to continue today.