A 22-year-old man died Monday after drowning at Panther Creek Falls in Habersham County.
Just before 11 a.m. on July 28, Habersham County Dispatch received a text to 911 regarding a possible drowning at the popular hiking and swimming spot. Multiple agencies responded, including the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Habersham County EMS, Lee Arrendale Fire Department, and Habersham County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Mark McKinnon with the DNR, first responders used ATVs and UTVs to get as close as possible before hiking the rest of the way into the remote location.
Witnesses told officials the man had been trying to climb the falls when he slipped and fell into the water. Bystanders pulled him out and performed CPR. Emergency medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene.
DNR Aviation was temporarily grounded due to impending weather, but later retrieved the man’s body, which was turned over to the Habersham County Coroner’s Office.
Officials said the man’s name would be released once his family has been notified.
