Three bodies recovered after Wilmington River boat crash, bringing death toll to 5
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has identified all five people who lost their lives in Saturday's boat crash on the Wilmington River.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has identified all five people who lost their lives in Saturday's boat crash on the Wilmington River.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has identified all five people who lost their lives in Saturday's boat crash on the Wilmington River.
Update 4:07 p.m.: The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has identified all five people who lost their lives in Saturday's boat crash on the Wilmington River.
The victims are identified as: 51-year-old Christopher David Leffler, 50-year-old Lori Lynn Leffler, 23-year-old Zachary James Leffler, 17-year-old Nathan Leffler and 37-year-old Robert Steven Chauncey. We're told all five victims were from Savannah.
Update 10:30 a.m.: The bodies of three missing boaters were recovered Sunday morning, bringing the total number of fatalities from Saturday's crash to 5.
Communications Director for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Mark McKinnon said all three bodies were found around 9 a.m. Sunday after game wardens detected them with sonar technology.
McKinnon said the bodies were found close to one another in 14-foot-deep water near the site of the crash.
According to the DNR, a man identified as Mark Stegall has been arrested and charged with operating a watercraft while under the influence. At this point, it is not clear if Stegall caused the crash.
Initial report: Chatham Emergency Services is asking people to avoid the Wilmington River while they investigate a deadly boat crash.
The crash happened at approximately 10:30 a.m. just north of Thunderbolt Marina.
The Coast Guard reports that two boats collided while traveling in different directions. One boat had three people aboard, the second had six people aboard.
A spokesperson for Chatham Emergency Services said at this point, three people remain unaccounted for, two are dead and four others have minor injuries.
The Coast Guard says the missing boaters are a 37-year-old white male and two white males who appeared to be in their early twenties.
The victims who died were husband and wife, according to the Head of Calvary Day School, where one of the victims worked.
In an email, the Head of Calvary Day School said, "We are saddened to report the death of our faculty member, Mr. Chris Leffler, and his wife, Lori, who passed away from injuries sustained in a boating accident today. They are survived by their daughter, Katie.
At this time, Chris' son and rising senior, Nate, is missing along with his brother, Zach. We ask that you keep the Leffler family in your prayers."
Nicole Ausset works at the Savannah Bend Marina. She said she heard the first distress calls and added that this is a somber moment for the boating community.
"We were hoping, of course, that it was not one of ours, let alone someone that we know on the water. It hits close to home. Everyone's close. Everybody's very close," Ausset said.
The collision is under investigation by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
This is a developing story.