Greenville man drowned at Lake Russell

Editor’s note: Information has been updated to reflect the correction of alcohol not being a contributing factor in the cause of death.

ABBEVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – A Greenville man died on Monday while fishing at Lake Russell, according to officials.

According to the Abbeville County Coroner, the Abbeville County EMA, Abbeville County EMS, Abbeville County Dive Team, Abbeville County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and the coroner were called to the lake around 1:30 p.m. for a drowning.

Billy Windell Painter, 89, of Greenville, was reportedly at the lake fishing on a boat with a friend when he fell out of the boat and into the water.

According to the coroner’s office, a friend was able to get Painter to the shore and call for help, and the friend and bystanders on the shore attempted to give Painter CPR.

The coroner’s office said Painter was not wearing a life jacket.

The friend was transported to the hospital for evaluation as a precaution.

The investigation is ongoing by the Abbeville County Office of the Coroner and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

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