Water search finds body of boater near popular Lake Norman sandbar, NC officials say

The body of a boater has been recovered from Lake Norman in the Cornelius area, the Cornelius-Lemley Fire Rescue reports.

Investigators identified the victim as 49-year-old Anthony Barnes of Mooresville.

The body was found late Sunday, July 16, in an area near “the sandbar,” a popular spit of land where boaters gather near the Mecklenburg-Iredell county line.

First responders say the multi-department search was launched around 7 p.m. after someone reported a drowning in the area.

Fire-rescue officials announced a recovery around 11:30 p.m.

The Cornelius Police Department and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission are investigating, officials said. A cause of death for the boater has not been released.

It counts as the second boater death this month in Lake Norman.

On July 1, South Mecklenburg High student Keith Austin, 16, drowned after he “jumped off the boat and went into distress,” WCCB reported.

This story was originally published July 17, 2023 at 6:49 AM.