WEEKEND DROWNING 07-13-08

A BOLIVAR COUNTY MAN DROWNS IN A SUNFLOWER COUNTY LAKE. SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS FROM BOLIVAR COUNTY COMB LONG LAKE SUNDAY AFTERNOON. THEY WERE LOOKING FOR CHRISTOPHER ELLERBEE.  THE 26 YEAR OLD WAS ENJOYING A DAY ON THE LAKE WITH SOME FRIENDS WHEN THE BOAT HE WAS IN HIT THE SANDBAR. AUTHORITIES SAY HE FELL OFF THE BOAT AROUND 12-30, WENT UNDER AND NEVER CAME BACK UP. AUTHORITIES BEGAN SEARCHING FOR HIM A LITTLE AFTER 12-30 BUT WITH EACH PASSING HOUR, HOPE BEGAN TO FADE. THE WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT DIVE TEAM RECOVERED CHRISTOPHER'S BODY AT 5:15 SUNDAY EVENING.   AN AUTOPSY IS BEING PERFORMED TO DETERMINE HIS CAUSE OF DEATH.