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Fishermen React to Susquehanna River Drowning

WOODWARD TOWNSHIP — Bass fishermen motored towards the Antlers Club Boat Launch along the Susquehanna River near Williamsport Sunday afternoon. Their tour...
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WOODWARD TOWNSHIP -- Bass fishermen motored towards the Antlers Club Boat Launch along the Susquehanna River near Williamsport Sunday afternoon.

Their tournament took place in the same area where officials say a man drowned after jumping out of a moving boat Saturday morning.

People on the water noticed something unusual above.

“A police helicopter going up and down the river. It went down, I’m assuming looking in the dam, then it came back up the river,” said Jason Duke of Jersey Shore.

Sean Lowmiller, 41, of Williamsport was known as Digger to his friends. They tell Newswatch 16 the father who remodeled grocery stores was known for his exuberant personality.

Officials say Lowmiller was with a handful of friends when he jumped, and suspect that alcohol was a factor.

Lowmiller was pulled from the water after an hour and a half search.

“It's a shame. It's not something you hear of a lot,” Duke said.

Local fishermen say this is the deepest spot in the Susquehanna River for a number of miles, so it's an especially popular place to socialize on the weekends.

Grant Evangilisti of Hughsville was surprised to learn what happened-- he says most folks he knows along this stretch of the river follow the law when it comes to boating and drinking.

“No, the fish commission checks the boats all the time here, so I can tell you, there’s 21 of us today and no one is drinking,” Evangelisti said.

There is no word yet on whether the fish and boat commission plans to file any criminal charges.

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