Callum Jones
A jet skier was once shot dead by his rescuer after initially falling into a lake.
It really is a story you can never even begin to imagine, but one very much true for all those involved.
Hannah Ayers and her friend Nathan Drew Morgan were jet skiing on Lake Keowee in South Carolina in March 2022 when they fell off without life jackets.
After noticing they were in distress, John Dotson hauled them on to his pontoon boat, but Morgan is then said to have assaulted John and his wife Debra.
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As per the Oconee County Sheriff's department, an elderly couple on a pontoon boat noticed that Morgan and an unarmed woman, who later became known as Ayers, in distress in the water after falling off their jet ski without life jackets.
As the jet ski continued to circle the lake, the couple drove their boat over to rescue them, only for Morgan to become agitated.
A statement from officers said Morgan started to assault the couple, with information provided to investigators suggesting he’d wanted to get back on his jet ski.
Ayers then attempted to deescalate the situation by pushing him back into the water, leading to the couple then having to pull Morgan back onto their boat for a second time.
“After a second encounter, the man on the pontoon shot the man fearing for his and his wife’s life while being assaulted,” said the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office. "The man who was shot died on the pontoon.”
Cops arrived at the scene just after 2.15pm that day after being told a shooting had occurred, with an autopsy report later confirming Morgan had died from a single gunshot wound to the chest.
A subsequent court ruled said the case was an act of self-defence, and therefore the shooter would not face charges.
A police report published at the time read: "Investigators met the 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office yesterday to present the evidence and information obtained in the case. Based upon evidence that was presented, 10th Circuit Solicitor David Wagner has determined that the shooting was in self-defence and no charges will be filed.
“According to Investigators, all parties have been notified of the decision not to file charges in the case. The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is asking for continued prayer for the family of Nathan Drew Morgan, who is the deceased as a result of the shooting.”
Despite no charges being filed, Morgan did lose his life and many tributes poured out for him in the days following.
Ayers was one of those, though her thoughts lied elsewhere in the aftermath of her friend's death.
She told MailOnline: "Drew was my friend and I will mourn him as my friend. But I will never understand the way he was acting that day – it's like a demon possessed his body.
"He was aggressive from the moment he set foot on that boat. They were physically fighting, Drew wouldn't stop, he wouldn't calm down.
"In my eyes there was no question that John had to shoot to protect himself and his wife. He will be my hero for life because, if it wasn't for him, I would have drowned in the water that day."