South Ala. man dies in drowning

By Miranda Mattheis | Dadeville Record

Published Wednesday, August 27, 2008

A body was recovered in Lake Martin Sunday morning after a man drowned Saturday afternoon.

Fitzhugh “Chip” Lee Jackson IV, a 33-year-old male from Elberta, Ala., was swimming in the lake Saturday when he drowned.

“There was alcohol involved,” said Alabama Marine Police Sgt. Gary Buchanan. “They were out swimming and they tried to swim across a slough. The weather was really rough.”

Buchanan said the accident occurred at Cherokee Slew, which is located near Martin Dam in Elmore County.

Marine Police were contacted at the time of the drowning, and multiple agencies responded.

Buchanan said the Alabama Marine Police, Tallapoosa and Elmore counties rescue squad, and the Red Hill Fire Department all responded to the drowning.

“They tried to do a preliminary search to try to find the body but had to postpone it because of the weather,” Buchanan said.

Buchanan said Jackson was not out swimming alone, but no one else was injured.

“He was out there with some family and friends,” Buchanan said.