Wednesday evening update: Tybee Island Fire/Rescue reported that the body of the second victim of the drowning this week has been recovered. At approximately 7:30pm a reported siting by a kite surfer led to a focused search near the sand bar at the south end of the island. Fire/Rescue personnel were able to retrieve the body and release it to the Chatham County Coroner.
City Manager Shawn Gillen stated that the efforts by the Tybee Island Fire Department, Police Department, the Marine Rescue Squad, the DNR and Chatham County were exceptional. “Everyone wanted to find these young men so their families could have some closure. I am very proud of everyone involved.” Gillen said.
Original item:
At approximately 7:15 PM, Monday, August 13, a 911 call was made reporting two adult males missing off south beach sandbar.
Tybee Island Fire Department responded and confirmed that two people were missing in the water. TIFD initiated a water search along with Tybee Marine Rescue Squad, US Coast Guard boat & helicopter rescue teams, GA DNR, Chatham Marine Patrol, and a Chatham Mosquito Control Helicopter. USCG helicopter returned to base at approximately 9:15pm.
Shore and limited water search continued until 10:30pm (high tide) Monday night.
Recovery efforts reconvened at dawn Tuesday morning and proceeded until dark Tuesday night when Tybee Island Fire and Rescue suspended recovery operations for the remainder of the day. The recovery efforts for the two individuals lost on Tuesday resumed at 6:00 AM Wednesday.
As of 10AM, Wednesday, August 15, Tybee Island Fire Rescue reports that the body of one of the two drowning victims has been recovered. Both families have been notified, although there is no positive ID at this time.