Emergency Dive Response Team
04/24/2025
2nd Mission of 2025 - EDRT Ogeechee River – UPDATE
4/24 UPDATE: Jose's body was recovered 7 miles downstream from the original search site when it emerged from the water. There can now be closure for the family.
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The EDRT has been engaged in its second drowning search effort of 2025.
The team was part of the successful recovery of Gary Jones on Lake Oconee after a 29-day search effort. Now the team is participating in another effort outside of Savannah, GA, joining state and local agencies yesterday (Day 10) at the request of the Bryan County Sheriff, Mark Crowe, and the Georgia DNR..
The current victim is a 55-year-old construction worker, Jose Garcia Hernandez, who fell from the I-95 bridge on the Ogeechee River on April 7th. He was working with a crew painting the underside of the bridge when he fell into the water. At the time of the occurrence, he was said to be wearing overalls, a construction belt, and a safety harness.
The search team is currently comprised of the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office (LEAD AGENCY), Georgia State Patrol, Emergency Dive Response Team, Chatham County Marine Patrol, Dive911, GA Department of Natural Resources, and TrailDogs—a K-9 cadaver team run by Alex Collier. Over the next couple of days, four additional dogs from other agencies joined the team.
The GSP has been running helicopter searches of the area, which ranges from the I-95 bridge where the accident occurred to the Hwy 17 bridge. An underwater drone and sonar are also being utilized.
The search and recovery team is facing major challenges with the murkiness of the blackwater, the up to 30 ft depth at high tide, and material debris from bridge construction and fencing throughout the area, which is throwing off the sonar. Another factor is that the Ogeechee is home to alligators, five types of venomous snakes, and a plethora of other animals, birds, and fish.
Sector scans were run and did not find anything underneath or past the bridges.
The mission continued throughout the weekend to bring closure to the family through a successful recovery of the body. However, after 15 days, the search was called off.
The EDRT is called to missions throughout Georgia and relies on contributions to cover the cost of operations, including transportation, gas, and food. The EDRT, a 501c3 charitable organization, made up of volunteers operating entirely on donations, is dedicating a large amount of funds and resources to continue the efforts and support our partners. Costs for running an operation are in the thousands and the non-profit team is not reimbursed for the costs of a recovery operation.
We request your support and a tax-deductible donation to support our ongoing operations and critical work. Please visit www.edrt.org and donate today at https://ngcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=6843.
As we continue our efforts, we will be sure to keep you posted with updates.
02/27/2025
EDRT Day 17 UPDATE (Tuesday February 25)
The search for Gary Jones continues. Seventeen days into the mission, our team remains dedicated to his recovery and to providing closure for his family.
We ask for your continued prayers for Gary's return and for the safety and well-being of all those involved in the search.
May God bless you. And cherish the days we have on this earth.
11 Alive
https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/day-17-search-lake-oconee-missing-boater-gary-jones-update/85-414dd562-ad8a-4c07-87ce-1498bbb2ac67?fbclid=IwY2xjawIrW01leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHcIq0dabyxNSddVOu745VkdjitA2k0sollCIBRnELJ7jmx92vGDVJG4uPQ_aem_LE8uHEKh2e64X23lUlLfFg
WSB 2
https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/sheriff-says-despite-speculation-he-believes-missing-teacher-is-still-lake-oconee/IGSOFLNGD5ATHNWZ66LXJIWZ4U/
Sheriff says despite speculation, he believes missing teacher is still in Lake Oconee The sheriff says he's heard the rumors that Gary Jones is alive and well somewhere else, but he doesn't believe them.
02/26/2025
Crews persist in search for missing Atlanta coach on Lake Oconee | Latest update Gary Jones, a coach at Westminster Schools in Atlanta, disappeared on the lake 17 days ago. Crews are still searching for him.
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