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OXFORD The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says search teams recovered a missing Oxford man Saturday evening, more than one week after a boating crash threw him into Lake Wedowee.
ALEA identified the missing boater as 22-year-old Russell H. Clanton of Oxford.
According to ALEA, a team from Christian Aid Ministry of Vanleer, Tennessee, located Clanton at approximately 5:36 p.m. Saturday, July 11. Searchers found him within the established search area near the location where he disappeared.
Clanton was located among standing timber approximately 61 feet below the water’s surface.
ALEA said first responders and a dive team immediately began recovery operations. Crews brought Clanton to the surface at approximately 6:45 p.m.
Boating Crash Reported July 3
According to ALEA, the search began following a single-vessel crash at approximately 5:10 p.m. Friday, July 3.
Clanton was riding as a passenger in a jon boat on Lake Wedowee, also known as R.L. Harris Reservoir.
ALEA said the boat struck a submerged stump near the Big River area in Randolph County. The impact threw Clanton overboard and into the water.
Authorities launched an extensive search involving rescue squads, dive teams, law enforcement officers, emergency management personnel, aviation resources and search dogs.
The operation continued for more than one week before the Tennessee team located Clanton Saturday afternoon.
Searchers Locate Clanton in Deep Water
ALEA reported that searchers found Clanton in an area of standing timber at a depth of approximately 61 feet.
After identifying his location, on-scene first responders and divers immediately began the recovery effort.
Crews completed the recovery at approximately 6:45 p.m., approximately one hour and nine minutes after the team located Clanton.
The recovery concluded an extensive operation involving agencies and specialized teams from across Alabama. Responders from Georgia and Tennessee also participated.
ALEA Recognizes Search and Recovery Teams
ALEA thanked the numerous responders who dedicated countless hours to the search and recovery effort.
Randolph County agencies included Randolph County Rescue, the Randolph County Dive Team, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office and the Randolph County Emergency Management Agency.
Clay County Rescue also participated in the operation.
Specialized dive teams responded from the Alexander City Rescue Squad, Pell City Police Department, Jefferson County, Hoover, Pelham and Houston County.
Tallapoosa Rescue, Jefferson County Rescue, Houston County Rescue, Crane Hill Fire and Rescue and the Cherokee County Rescue Squad also assisted.
Emergency management personnel responded from Randolph, Shelby, Cherokee and Marshall counties. The Alabama Emergency Management Agency also supported the effort.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources participated along with Christian Aid Ministry of Vanleer, Tennessee.
Search dog teams included the North Alabama Search and Rescue K-9 Team and the Autauga Rescue Squad Search K-9 Team.
ALEA’s Aviation Unit supported the operation along with troopers assigned to the agency’s Marine Patrol Division.
Agencies Participating in the Operation
ALEA recognized the following agencies and organizations for assisting with the search and recovery:
Clay County Rescue; Randolph County Rescue; Randolph County Dive Team; Randolph County Sheriff’s Office; Randolph County Emergency Management Agency; Alexander City Rescue Squad Dive Team; Tallapoosa Rescue; Pell City Police Department Dive Team; Crane Hill Fire and Rescue; Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Jefferson County Rescue; Jefferson County Dive Team; Hoover Dive Team; Pelham Dive Team; Shelby County Emergency Management Agency; Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency; Marshall County Emergency Management Agency; Alabama Emergency Management Agency; Houston County Rescue; Houston County Dive Team; Christian Aid Ministry of Vanleer, Tennessee; Cherokee County Rescue Squad; North Alabama Search and Rescue K-9 Team; Autauga Rescue Squad Search K-9 Team; ALEA Aviation Unit; and troopers with ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division.
Investigation Continues
ALEA Marine Patrol troopers continue to investigate the single-vessel crash.
The agency said no additional information was available.
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