July 8. The boater who drowned on the Fourth of July at The Sandbar in Lake Norman has been identified as Miles Edward Merritt, age 27. The NC Wildlife Commission did not release any other details, including his address.

His body was pulled from the lake Saturday night around 11 after three days of searching in intense heat and choppy conditions on into the night.

In addition to Cornelius-Lemley Fire Rescue, teams from multiple counties assisted, including Mooresville Fire-Rescue, Denver Fire Dept., Sherrills Ford – Terrell Fire & Rescue, Iredell County Sheriff, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Huntersville Fire Dept., Cornelius Police Dept., NC Wildlife Resources Commission and TowBoatUS Lake Norman.

As many as seven boats at a time were seen searching for Merritt’s body. Operations were based at the Diane Shores dock at the foot of Bustle Road.