DNR investigating drowning on U.S. 521

Posted
The state Department of Natural Resources is investigating a suspected drowning that happened at a home in the 6800 block of Sumter Highway outside of Alcolu on Wednesday night. Gussie Thames, 78, was last seen by his wife at the edge of the pond behind the couple's home, according to Clarendon County Deputy Coroner Bucky Mock. "We don't know exactly what happened," Mock said. "He was on the edge of the pond, and his wife could see him. She looked again and he was gone. She called for responders to go out there, and we found him in the pond." Mock said that DNR officials have responded to the scene, but that "unless we specifically find the cause isn't drowning, there won't be much need for a big investigation." "They just come in with things like this," he said. Mock said an autopsy would be performed in Charleston as soon as possible.