The search continued Thursday for a drowning victim in the Suwannee River at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak.


While the body has not yet been found, Suwannee County Sheriff Tony Cameron said the search continues for Tajay Hoppines, 18-year-old Valdosta State University student, who went missing in the river shortly after 6 p.m. Wednesday.


Cameron said Hoppines and fellow cross-country runners from the university were training in the park when it was decided a dip in the murky waters of the Suwannee River was needed. 
“They had been out running on property at the Spirit of the Suwannee doing training,” said Cameron. “They then went to the river.”


The river is accessible in different locations inside the park.


Cameron said several in the group decided to swim across the river at the popular sandbar inside the park, Hoppines included. Hoppines then went down. Cameron said others tried to pull him out but were unable to locate him. 


Hoppines went missing in the same area that a Hamilton County man went missing on July 14.

The search continues for that person and has been extended to the Gulf Coast.


Cameron has not yet released the name of that person, due to this case being “a different situation.” Cameron would not elaborate further.


The missing man is said to be in his 30s and was wading chest deep in the water at the sandbar on July 14 around 1:30 p.m. when witnesses saw him vanish into the water. Cameron said his 12-year-old stepdaughter attempted to pull him to safety at the time of the incident, but was unable to help him. 


According to SCSO Chief Deputy Ron Colvin, family members of the missing Hamilton County man also told authorities that he could not swim.