Fisherman killed in bizarre boating accident on Lake Lanier

A Gainesville man died in a bizarre boating accident while fishing with his wife on Lake Lanier.

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, 73-year-old Matthew Mayo drowned when he fell into the water near Lanier Point.

On Wednesday, May 29, Mayo and his wife were fishing from a bass boat. When he tried to sit on the seat, it came off the floor and he fell into the lake. He did not resurface, said Mark McKinnon, DNR Law Enforcement spokesman.

According to McKinnon, game wardens located the person a short time later in two meters of water using a sonar device mounted on the boat.

The Hall County Fire Department used a remotely operated rescue boat (ROV) to recover the body.