Victim Identified in Wateree River Drowning

Sumter Co., S.C. (WOLO)–The search for a missing swimmer on the Wateree River comes to a tragic end. Monday afternoon authorities say they found the body of the 51 year old Oscar Joe Brunson…who they have been looking for, the past two days.
Ken Bell with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office says the victim who was from Sumter, was on a camping trip with his family…
they were wading in the water he went under water and did not resurface.
Richland County actually received the call reporting his disappearance and officials quickly got a search underway.
A very extensive search from what we understand, they had a helicopter out Monday and then they deployed the dive team who actually recovered the body.
Officials say the body was discovered in 3 feet of water about 100 yards away from where he was last seen.
Unfortunately officials tell us this is not the first time there has been a drowning death in this area so they’re urging caution on the river.
They have not released the victim’s identity yet because they are still notifying family members.