Bodies of missing uncle and nephew recovered from Lake Norman

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By Tina Terry

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — The bodies of two boaters reported missing after their vessel capsized on Lake Norman Friday night have been recovered, officials told Channel 9.

North Carolina wildlife officials had searched Saturday and Sunday for the two men after their boat was found capsized. The men, who were uncle and nephew, were found Sunday night by citizens.

They were identified as Earnest Norris and Fredrick Martin, of Mooresville.

We first updated WSOCTV news app users with a notification just after 9:30 a.m. Monday that the boaters had been found in Lake Norman.

Download the WSOCTV news app for your smartphone and get updates on this developing story as they come in.

Charlotte Fire Battalion Chief Rob Cannon said the boaters had been missing since Friday night. He said that a missing persons report was filed Friday night for the boaters when they did not return.

Officials told Channel 9 they started their search around 8 a.m. Saturday in Mooresville.

Despite mid-afternoon storms on Saturday, firefighters from Charlotte, Lake Norman and Mooresville searched tirelessly for the men who were believed to have gone fishing Friday night and were supposed to return the boat by midnight.

Channel 9's news partner The Moorseville Tribune reported the boat appeared to have dry rot and had filled with water. It also reported it was the first time the men took the boat out on the lake.

Charlotte fire officials said Sunday that they were not continuing to assist with the search.

Another boater located the overturned bass boat not far from Hagers Creek Landing, in 16-20 feet of water. Life jackets were retrieved nearby.

"We will conduct a grid search of that area of the overturned boat,” Cannon said Saturday.

Across the lake, near Blythe Landing, wildlife officer Sampson Parker patrolled the water to keep others safe.

“Come out, have a good time, but be safe,” Parker said. “Have your life jackets on.”

This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates. 

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