A Buford man drowned Saturday afternoon on Lake Lanier near Three Sisters Island, state wildlife officials said Tuesday.
The victim, Kim Gregory Battle, 71, was in his boat when he lost his hat, Department of Natural Rescources spokesman Mark McKinnon said. Witnesses told authorities he stopped the vessel and moved to the back of the boat to retrieve it, slipped, fell into the water and did not resurface.
Game wardens were notified shortly after the incident, and the search began immediately using boat‑mounted sonar. Forsyth County and Hall County first responders had also been notified.
Battle was located in about eleven feet of water and recovered later in the afternoon using a remote‑operated vessel.