UPDATE -Both bodies of missing persons located in Wateree River search, victims identified

Updated story 03/10/25:

KERSHAW COUNTY — Officials say a 13-year-old boy fell into the water while fishing with his family on Saturday, March 8.

While attempting to save the boy, the child’s father and a friend of the family who was identified as Valentin Ulises Nicolas Quiroz jumped into the water to save him.

Another person who was a retired military vet was identified as Lonnie Hancock, saw the commotion and jumped into the rapid water to help, confirms Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies say the boy was eventually rescued by an off-duty Lexington Police officer and an active duty Army solider who were in a boat fishing around the time of the incident.

The father was able to make it back to the shore, but the friend of the family, Valentin Ulises Nicolas Quiroz, and the retired military vet Lonnie Hancock was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lonnie Hancock is a drowning victim who tried to help save a 13–year-old boy who fell into Lake Wateree, said Kershaw County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies responded to the scene around 4:20 p.m. along with Kershaw County Fire Service, EMS, Lugoff Fire Department, Camden Fire Department, SC Dept. of Natural Resource Officers, and SCDNR’s dive team.

Photos Courtesy: Kershaw County Fire Service

Updated story 03/09/25:

The second victim in a search across the Tail Race portion of Wateree River has been found.

The victims have been identified as 21-year-old Valentin Ulises Nicolas Quiroz of Richland County and 43-year-old Lonnie Hancock of Sumter by Coroner David West of Kershaw County.

West says an autopsy is set for Tuesday at Newberry Medical Center.

03/08/25:

KERSHAW COUNTY —  According to Will Glover with the Kershaw County Emergency Services, units were dispatched around 4:15 pm on Saturday to the area of the Tail Race portion of the river behind the dam on the Wateree River — in search of two missing individuals.

Crews from Kershaw County Fire Service, Camden Fire Department, Lugoff Fire Department, Kershaw County EMS, Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office,  and South Carolina DNR responded to the scene.

At approximately 8:35 p.m., Glover says divers from SC DNR found one individual dead.  Crews will remain searching into the night for the 2nd individual.

They’re asking the public to avoid this area while they complete their search.

The individuals’ names have not been given at this time.