An Eatonton man was reported missing by his family at 4:16 p.m. Saturday after having gone fishing around 2 p.m.
According to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills, fishing gear had been found on the bank, but David Smith, 58, was not found in the area.
“Deputies and rescue personnel responded to the scene at the bridge over Cedar Creek on U.S. Highway 129 at the Jones County line where they found disturbed soil on the muddy bank in the vicinity of Mr. Smith’s fishing gear that was consistent with someone possibly accidentally slid into the water and/or tried to get out of the water,” Sills said. “Cedar Creek was swollen from the recent heavy rains, and its current was quite swift.”
The sheriff said Smith’s body was located at 6:59 p.m. by Putnam County Fire Department personnel using a drag apparatus.
“When it rains a lot and Cedar Creek floods, that is the prime time for people to go there and catch catfish, so that’s why he was there,” Sills said. “Unfortunately, the weather conditions that contribute to prime fishing also contributed to his falling into the creek, and he couldn’t swim.”
Putnam County Coroner Hollis Harrison said Smith’s body was taken to the GBI medical examiner for an autopsy.