The search for a missing 17-year-old boater on Lake Allatoona has concluded with the discovery of his body on Friday afternoon. Jackson Cole Croft of Woodstock was found in 22 feet of water in proximity to where his unmanned boat had been previously seen circling on Thursday evening, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta. Advanced equipment, including side-scan sonar, was deployed by Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to locate Croft.
In a statement obtained by Atlanta News First, DNR spokesman Mark McKinnon detailed the challenging terrain that search crews faced, marked by submerged timber and varying lake bottoms. The area was described as unusual, with sections containing sand, debris, and depths up to 55 feet. Croft, who was alone in an approximately 16-foot bass boat when he went missing, was not wearing a life jacket at the time he was found.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the teen’s unfortunate disappearance and death, seeking to understand the sequence of events that led to the tragedy. Croft’s connection to the local racing community, through a nascent career at Dixie Speedway and the legacy of his father, was also highlighted—with Mia Green, Vice President of Dixie Speedway, extending condolences to the family and affirming Croft’s significance in the community…