TALLAPOOSA COUNTY, Ala. (WSFA) – Crews continue to comb Lake Martin for a .
“Its people on boats, as well as divers,” Alex City Fire Marshal Jeremy Spears said. His department is assisting in the search effort, alongside multiple law enforcement and rescue teams.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency identified the man Friday as 24-year-old Zachary Dakota Lewis of Parker, Colorado.
Officials said Lewis was on the lake, a man-made 44,000-acre reservoir about an hour northeast of Montgomery, with friends in the Big Kowaliga Creek area near the Willow Point Golf Course. After entering the water Thursday, he disappeared beneath the surface.
Search teams looked for Lewis until 2 a.m. Friday and then resumed at 8 a.m.
“They’ve got a sonar unit that they use to try to locate a victim that’s in the water,” Spears said.
Troopers advise the public to avoid the area while the search operation continues. If boaters do need to pass by, officials ask they do so at idle speed until further notice
Many are expected to visit Lake Martin for Labor Day weekend. Officials urge boaters, tubers and swimmers to do so safely to prevent another accident.
“Pay attention to your surroundings,” Spears said. “It is going to be a crowded weekend. There’s going to be a lot of boats on the water.”
ALEA said the public should never drink and drive or operate a boat under the influence. A designated driver is highly encouraged.
Those on the water are asked to obey the laws and keep and eye out for severe weather.
Officials recommend a personal flotation device for all boat passengers and add that children under eight must wear them at all times.
“If you don’t know where you’re going, if you’re not familiar with the lake, try to get off of the lake before sundown,” the fire marshal said.
“It’s a completely different body of water at night than it is during the day,” he said.
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