UPDATE: Two bodies recovered from Smith Mountain Lake ID’d as missing boaters

This comes after the two men were on a boat that capsized Monday

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, Va.UPDATE - Thursday, Jan. 5 @ 1 p.m.

Two bodies that were recovered from Smith Mountain Lake on Thursday morning were confirmed to be the two boaters missing after a boat capsized Monday.

The bodies of Landon Oakes, 21, of Danville and Zachary Travis, 20, of Danville were recovered from the lake around 10:30 a.m., according to Conservation Police.

Both men were on a boat that capsized near the Anthony Ford Boat ramp in Penhook on Monday at about 3 p.m., the Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire and Rescue states.

Crews say a bystander on shore saw it happen and called it in around 3 p.m.

When rescue crews arrived at the scene, the two people in the water had disappeared, according to Chief Todd Ohlerich with Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire & Rescue.


UPDATE - Wednesday, Jan 4, 23:

Crews continued their search on Wednesday to no avail. We’re told they will continue their search on Thursday.


UPDATE - Tuesday, Jan. 3, 23:

The search for two missing Smith Mountain Lake boaters has shifted to a recovery effort, according to the Department of Wildlife.

This comes after both individuals were on a boat that capsized near the Anthony Ford Boat ramp in Penhook on Monday at about 3 p.m., the Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire and Rescue states.

Crews searched for the two men until around 8:30 p.m. but had to call the search off Monday night due to darkness and for the safety of the divers, according to officials.

As of 12 p.m. Tuesday, there are several boats out on the lake helping in the recovery effort.

Tuesday evening, officials sent additional divers into Smith Mountain Lake to continue recovery efforts.

The Department of Wildlife said they do have divers available to them for the search, but they are not currently in the water.

Stay with 10 News as this breaking news story develops


ORIGINAL STORY - Monday, Jan. 2, 23:

Crews are searching for two people that went missing after a boat capsized on Smith Mountain Lake Monday, according to Chief Todd Ohlerich with Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire & Rescue.

Crews say a bystander on shore saw it happen and called it in around 3 p.m.

When rescue crews arrived at the scene, the two people in the water had disappeared, according to Ohlerich.

We’re told crews searched for the people until around 8:30 p.m. but had to call the search off for the night due to darkness and for the safety of the divers.

Ohlerich said the search will resume sometime Tuesday morning.

Stay with 10 News as this develops


About the Authors

Alli Graham came aboard the digital team as an evening digital content producer in June 2022.

Jazmine Otey joined the 10 News team in February 2021.

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