65-year-old doctor who drowned in lake may have been electrocuted, SC officials say
A 65-year-old medical doctor who drowned on a popular lake may have been electrocuted, South Carolina officials said.
Dr. Marshall L. Meadors III was swimming on Lake Hartwell when he went missing late Monday, July 17. He was found about 30 minutes later under roughly 8 to 10 feet of water, according to the Anderson County coroner’s office.
After Meadors was pulled from the “bottom of the lake,” first responders started giving him medical care. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, officials wrote in a news release.
The coroner’s office said Meadors had been swimming near a dock. An investigation “revealed some exposed electrical wires on an electrical box providing power to the dock,” and “an electrical shock may have been a contributory cause of the decedent drowning.”
“The preliminary investigation indicates the victim died as a result of freshwater drowning possibly secondary to electrocution,” officials wrote, adding that an autopsy is scheduled as the investigation into his death continues.
The incident happened on Lake Hartwell, which lies along the Georgia-South Carolina border. The destination is popular for fishing, boating and other water activities.
Meadors is remembered as a physician who lived and worked in Anderson, roughly 30 miles southwest of Greenville. A profile on the website for Primary Care Associates, PC said he went to college in South Carolina and served on several boards during his career.
Drowning
At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.
Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.
“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”
This story was originally published July 18, 2023 at 6:27 AM with the headline "65-year-old doctor who drowned in lake may have been electrocuted, SC officials say."
