Tuesday, Feb. 09, 2010

Coroner| Man's death ruled accidental drowning after he died while fishing in river in Georgetown County

The cause of death of a man who died late Monday after he fell out of a boat while fishing with his brother in the Black River is accidental drowning, Williamsburg County Coroner Harrison McKnight said today.

Nathan Alford, 77, of Andrews, died after his 89-year-old brother pulled him from the river near the Williamsburg/Georgetown County line about 6:45 p.m. Monday, McKnight said.

The incident occurred about 6:45 p.m. Monday on the Black River near Reds Landing when the two men were fishing and Alford fell into the water, said Lt. Robert McCullough with the state Department of Natural Resources.

Alford's older brother retrieved him and got him back in the boat and to the landing, McCullough said.

The older man was hospitalized following the incident and has not provide many details about the incident, McKnight said.

The older man was mobile but not talking when taken to a hospital Monday night, McCullough said. His condition was not immediately available.