Divers find body of Texas man in Lanier

GAINESVILLE - Divers with the Hall County Sheriff's Dive Team have recovered the body of a 23-year-old Houston, Texas man who disappeared after diving into Lake Lanier Sunday afternoon.

Sheriff's Col. Jeff Strickland said divers found the body of Lurie Ray Collins just before noon Monday about 35 feet from shore in 25 feet of water near the equestrian area at Lake Lanier Islands.

Strickland said divers were able to locate the body using their side scan sonar unit.

The initial call came in to authorities Sunday afternoon around 5:30, according to Hall County Fire Chief David Kimbrell. Divers from Hall, Forsyth and Gwinnett counties searched the waters around Sunset Cove for about an hour Sunday evening before turning over the recovery effort to the Hall County Sheriff's Office.