BREAKING UPDATE: Officials say body of drowning victim at Clarks Hill Lake has been recovered, victim identified

COLUMBIA COUNTY, GA (WFXG) - The body of a drowning victim at Clarks Hill Lake has been recovered, according to the Augusta Fire Department.

Authorities identified the victim as firefighter Lt. Ralph Jenkins of the Augusta Fire Department.

“On behalf of the entire Augusta firefighting community, I am disheartened to report this crushing loss of one of our own,” said Interim Fire Chief Shaw Williams, Jr.

“Lt. Jenkins came from a firefighting family, was known in the Department as a person who could be counted on for a good laugh, and served the people of Augusta, Georgia for 40 years,” he added.

The family of the victim has been notified.

FOX 54 will keep you updated as we receive more information.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. FOX 54's earlier story is shown below.

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COLUMBIA COUNTY, GA (WFXG) - The Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and Columbia County dive teams are on Clarks Hill Lake searching for a drowning victim.

According to the sheriff's office, the victim went missing from near the the Lake Springs Recreation Area at around 6 p.m. Friday.

Details are limited, but the sheriff's office confirms the victim is an adult man. They tell FOX 54 this is a recovery mission.

We will update when more information is available.