The body of a Gray fisherman, who disappeared in the water when his boat capsized on Laurel Lake Sunday, has been recovered.
About 12:15 p.m. on May 4, John Myrick, 26, fell into the water near the City Dam on Laurel Lake when his new fishing boat capsized. Myrick’s brother, Christian Myrick, was able to make it to shore and contact authorities, but had to be hospitalized afterwards. He was released from the hospital Monday.
Laurel and Whitley County Emergency Management Director Jerry Rains said that Myrick’s body was recovered about 3:15 p.m. Friday about 40 feet from City Dam on the Lynn Camp Creek side.
Groups taking part in the search Friday included the London-Laurel County Rescue Squad, Woodbine Fire & Rescue and Corbin Fire Department. The Louden County, Tennessee Rescue Squad also joined the search Friday.
Rains said that the body was located with sonar, then the London-Laurel County Rescue Squad sent down a remote operated vehicle (ROV), or underwater drone if you will, which brought the body to the surface. At that point, divers entered the water and brought the body to the bank.
Rains said that it was a relief for Myrick’s family, who can now start the recovery process.
“It is a relief for us too. We just hate that it took so long, but Mother Nature is on her own time frame,” Rains said adding that Thursday’s storm and hail delayed search efforts by about three to four hours.
He said that as of Thursday evening, first responders had already logged over 1,200 manhours in the search in addition to time spent Friday. Rains estimated that about 30 searchers per day took part in the search effort.
Myrick’s fiancé, Whitney Price, told the News Journal Monday that the couple had just gotten the boat last Thursday. The family put it in the water and John tested it out on the water last Friday morning.
On Sunday morning, John woke his fiancé up, kissed her and their two-year-old daughter, Presley Jace Myrick, goodbye before he went out to get bait. He and his brother ended up at Laurel Lake with the boat.
John Snapchatted his fiancé and daughter later that morning showing them where they were fishing and different areas of the lake.
Not too long later, Price got a call, letting her know that the boat had flipped over near the dam.
A number of area fire departments and other organizations are known to have participated in the search, including: Keavy Fire and Rescue, Corbin Fire and Rescue, London-Laurel County Rescue Squad, Laurel County DPS, Laurel County Emergency Management, Whitley County Emergency Management, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, Kentucky State Police and the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office.
Laurel County Sheriff’s Deputy Austyn Weddle is investigating the missing person case with Deputy Robert Reed assisting.
For a complete list of participating agencies, see Wednesday’s edition of the News Journal.
