Body of missing boater recovered from Lake Norman, officials say

LAKE NORMAN, N.C. — The body of a missing boater has been recovered after an extensive search of Lake Norman, according to the Cornelius-Lemley Fire Department.

The search began near the sandbar just after 7 p.m. Sunday. The body was recovered several hours later.

On Tuesday, North Carolina Wildlife investigators said that man was 49-year-old Anthony Barnes, from Mooresville.

Investigators said around 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Barnes was a passenger on a private watercraft going from the Lake Norman sandbar toward his boat. His boat was anchored close to the sandbar.

According to North Carolina Wildlife, some time after Barnes arrived at the boat, the watercraft capsized. It’s operator was able to resurface but Barnes never did.

Channel 9 spoke with Cornelius Fire Captain E.J. McCormick at the scene.

McCormick said Cornelius Fire, Huntersville Fire, Denver Fire, Charlotte Fire, and Sherills Ford Fire Departments aided in the search, along with the Cornelius Police Department and N.C. Wildlife.

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