A 50-year-old Columbia man lost his life late Saturday night after falling from a dock into the waters of Lake Murray. The incident happened around 9 p.m. on April 11, 2026, at a dock located in the 2100 block of North Lake Drive on the Irmo side of the Lake Murray dam.
According to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Travers Antonio Berry was part of a group getting off a boat when he bent over to put on his shoes and fell into the water. A witness immediately jumped in to try to save him, but the effort was unsuccessful.
The Irmo Fire District responded to the scene first. Fire crews and swimmers searched the area but were unable to locate Berry. The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department dive team then took over the operation. The search was complicated by darkness and difficult water conditions. Berry was eventually found under the dock around 11 p.m.
Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher pronounced Berry dead at the scene. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources confirmed that the death was a drowning. The average depth of Lake Murray is 41.5 feet, but some areas reach as deep as 200 feet.
The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department has ruled the incident accidental. Investigators found no evidence of foul play. The dock area where Berry fell is a popular spot for families and boaters, especially during warm weather weekends.
The loss has left Berry’s family and friends heartbroken. Residents of Irmo, Columbia, and surrounding communities have expressed sorrow and concern over the dangers that docks and open water can present. Local officials have reminded visitors to use caution near the water and to ensure proper lighting and safety measures are in place at docks. The tragedy has prompted renewed discussions about water safety across Lexington County.