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Body of Bristol fisherman recovered in South Carolina lake

Published November 29th, 2006 | 0 Comments

The body of one Bristol fisherman who drowned in a South Carolina lake earlier this month was recovered Tuesday.

The Post and Courier in Charleston reports a couple walking along a dike on Lake Moultrie spotted the body of Gary Pippin, 58, of Bristol, Tenn., floating about 200 yards offshore shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Officials say Pippin was wearing camouflage clothing that made him blend in with the
water, but he must have surfaced overnight since wildlife and rescue officials have been searching the lake by water and air since the accident.

Another Bristol man, Rufus Ryan, 63, is presumed to have drowned as well. His body has yet to be recovered. A third man, Dave Cooper, also of Bristol, survived

The accident occurred Nov. 12 during a fishing tournament on the lake, north of Charleston. Rescuers found Cooper clinging to an overturned 18-foot boat. He was the lone survivor, as Ryan and Pippin were unable to keep a firm grip in the 61-degree waters.

Cooper, who is believed to have been in the waters about four hours, was taken to a local hospital and treated for hypothermia. Officials say none of the men were wearing life jackets.

According to Lt. Robert McCullough, with South Carolina's Department of Natural Resources, high winds more than likely caused the accident. Cooper told authorities the boat overturned in waves of two to four feet. A lake wind advisory had been issued until 1 p.m. that Sunday.

"It rotates, about every year or two we'll have one or two (deaths on Lake Moultrie), and some years we don't have any," he said.

Rescuers were called about 2 p.m. and Cooper was rescued about 4 p.m. by a fishing tournament boat. The Natural Resources Department, a Charleston County sheriff's office helicopter and a boat from the fishing tournament joined the initial search, which was suspended at dark.

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