TOOMBS COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) - Multiple agencies responded to a Thursday night drowning in a pond near the New Branch Community, the Toombs County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) reports.
According to a TCSO Facebook post, on January 23, 2025, at approximately 6:58 p.m., deputies responded to a male in distress after his boat overturned.
Additional resources from Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Region 4 Office (Metter), Cedar Crossing Fire, Cedar Crossing Dive Team, Toombs County Fire, Toombs Emergency Management Agency (EMA), and Toombs-Montgomery Emergency Medical Services responded to assist.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered Eryc Bobbitt, 33, of Lyons, in the water clinging to a small aluminum boat in the middle of the pond. Bobbitt's rescue led him to reveal that he was accompanied by Cedric Hilton, 35, of Vidalia, when their boat overturned.
Deputies were not able to locate Hilton and presumed that he possibly drowned. First responders were able to retrieve Bobbitt and the boat, while another team began the recovery effort to locate Hilton. Bobbitt showed symptoms of extreme hypothermia as first responders diligently worked to provide medical attention.
Hilton's body was later recovered and assessed by a second team of medical personnel. It was determined that Hilton was deceased.
At the beginning of the rescue, the incident scene was turned over to the DNR and EMA. Additionally, DNR began their investigation of the drowning.
Preliminary evidence suggests to investigators that Bobbitt and Hilton were fishing in the pond when the boat accidentally overturned. the two were in the water for an extended period before being located. TCSO estimates that the water temperature was in the low 30's during that time.
Bobbitt was transported to a Vidalia hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.