A Blairsville man lost his life last week in a drowning accident on the North Carolina side of Lake Chatuge. Michael Pickelsimer was 41 years old.
At approximately 7:34 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, Clay County Dispatch received a call from a woman stating that her boyfriend had fallen out of a kayak and was trying to swim to shore but did not make it, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
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“He had gone underwater and didn’t come back up,” NC Wildlife continued. “The incident occurred at the Clay County Recreation Swim Area in Chatuge Lake.
“Clay County Fire & Rescue, Clay County Sherriff’s Department, and Clay County EMS and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission responded to the scene.
“Once on scene, Clay County Fire & Rescue and NC Wildlife Officers Garrett Brown and John Dooley launched patrol boats to attempt a rescue or recovery.
“Witnesses were interviewed by Sgt. Mickey Carpenter and Alica Calogero. They were notified of the last known location of the victim and details of the incident.”
Pickelsimer was in a kayak when it overturned. After falling out, he tried to hold on to the kayak while it was upside down but “began struggling and screamed for help.”
“Mr. Pickelsimer’s girlfriend attempted to swim to him with a wake board, but when she got about 40 yards from him, he went underwater and didn’t come back up,” NC Wildlife said. “That was the last time that he was seen.”
First responders searched for him until midnight and resumed with daylight on June 10. Pickelsimer’s body was located around 7:30 p.m. last Wednesday – roughly 24 hours after he went missing – in the area he was reported to have gone under, in water about 30 feet deep.
In the aftermath of the tragic accident, Clay County Fire & Rescue took to social media to extend its “sincere appreciation to all responding agencies and organizations for their assistance, professionalism, and cooperation throughout this incident.”
“Most importantly, our thoughts and condolences are with the victim’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” Clay County Fire wrote.
Pickelsimer’s funeral was held on Sunday at the Mountain View Funeral Home Chapel in Blairsville.
“Michael was a native and lifelong resident of Union County,” his obituary reads. “He loved being outdoors and spending time with his family and friends. He was a loving and caring father, son, brother and uncle.”
The obituary for Pickelsimer can be read in its entirety inside this edition of the newspaper. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to help defray expenses in his memory.
