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Man drowns trying to retrieve grandson’s float

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ANDERSON, S.C. — Authorities say a 47-year-old man drowned in Lake Hartwell as he tried to retrieve his grandson’s float which had drifted away.

The Anderson County Coroner’s Office said James McClain went under as he swam toward the float and did not resurface around 4:45 p.m. Monday.

Authorities say McClain was at the lake with his wife and grandson, and they were trying to get out of the water when the float got away.

Divers found McClain’s body in about 8 feet of murky water about three hours after he disappeared.

Authorities say it was the third drowning in the Singing Pines Recreation Area of Lake Hartwell this year and the first of two drownings in about eight hours on the man-made lake.

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