Tragedy as two married couples die when their powerboat overturns on Georgia lake

The remains of two men missing after a boat overtued on Lake Lanier in Georgia have been recovered, officials said.

The bodies of Arthur Gene McMahan Jr, 46, and Anthony Reece Jr, 44, both from Kentucky, were located early on Sunday, a Georgia Department of Natural Resources spokesman told WHAS.

The men were found in about 90 feet of water before they were pulled from the lake, according to officials.

Arthur Gene McMahan Jr, 46, (left) and his wife Melissa Renee McMahan, 45, (pictured with him right), were both identified as two of the four bodies recovered after a boat overtued on Lake Lanier in Georgia on Friday

The bodies of Anthony Reece Jr, 44, and Tammy Reece, 44, were also recovered in Lake Lanier

On Saturday moing, crews announced they had recovered the bodies of Melissa Renee McMahan, 45, and Tammy Reece, 44, both from Kentucky.

Officials said the boaters were visiting from Atlanta for a charity event on the north-Georgia lake, WHAS reported. 

According to Major Stephen Adams, the single-vessel cigarette-style speedboat carrying the group overtued just before 4pm on Friday. A collision with another boat is not suspected.

The boat was a 38-to-40-foot, tunnel-hull, racing style vessel, Adams said.

Officials believe the boat was involved in the Pirates of Lanier Poker Run, where boats travel to different spots on the lake and pick up playing cards in an attempt to get the best hand and win a prize.

The charity event benefits children in need in Georgia.

 

On Saturday night, relatives of the McMahans released a statement saying the couple (Mrs McMahan left and Mr McMahan, right) meant the world to them and will be truly missed

Witness reportedly said that the boat was traveling south near Cocktail Cove on the lake when it encountered a wake and overtued.

The boat was found partially submerged and investigators are looking into whether speed was a factor in the crash. 

'The Lanier Partners would like to send our deepest thoughts and prayers to the families of those involved in an accident on Lake Lanier today,' the group wrote on Facebook.

The group also asked that no boat go over 60mph. 

On Saturday night, relatives of the McMahans released a statement saying the couple meant the world to them and that they will be truly missed.

The cigarette style boat was found partially submerged, witnesses said it hit a wake - investigators will try to determine if speed played a role in the accident 

The foursome were known for their love of boating and belonged to the Lake Havasu Powerboat Club, according to its Facebook page - above, the boat they were in that capsized 

'The Lanier Partners would like to send our deepest thoughts and prayers to the families of those involved in an accident on Lake Lanier today,' the group wrote on Facebook

'At this time we want to thank the community, friends and family for their ongoing love and support, the statement read.

'Our parents meant the world to us, we never realized how much impact they had on people's lives. 

'They both were such amazing, loving and caring parents, grandparents, children siblings and friends to so many. 

'They were one of a kind and will truly be missed. Thank you again for your continued prayers.'

The cause of the accident remains under investigation, with authorities saying it will likely take several weeks to complete, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.