Officials: Body recovered from Lake Lanier

Image 1 of 11

Authorities have identified the man who went missing after the personal watercraft he was riding collided with a boat.

The body of Yakov D. Shteyman, 34, of Cumming, was recovered Tuesday evening in the water near where the accident occurred on Monday. 

WATCH: Officials give update on missing man

"We located the body in the immediate vicinity of the boating collision that occurred yesterday," said DNR Major Stephen Adams.

Major Adams said the body was found in 65 feet of water just after 7:30 p.m.

Shteyman's family waited desperately at Lake Lanier as crews searched for their loved one and were on scene when officials recovered the body. 

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources said a bass boat and a personal watercraft, also known as a Jet Ski or Wave Runner, collided around 8:30 p.m. Monday. The incident happened near Charleston Park, in an area called Six Mile Creek on Lake Lanier. 

The operator of the Jet Ski was thrown into the water, and hasn't been seen since. He was not wearing a life jacket. Search teams begin their search when the incident happened. 

"We work around the clock trying to get closure for the family because it is a very trying event, they have a loved one and they can't really start the grieving or closure process until a recovery is made," said Major Adams. 

Searchers are using sonar to locate the man's body and used their mechanical equipment to recover the body.

Major Adams said it's critical people wear life jackets when they're on the water.

"They save lives. Tragedy strikes in an instant. You can become thrown in the water. The water temperature today is 52 degrees. Hypothermia sets in very, very quickly. And even a strong experienced swimmers can succumb to the elements very quickly," Major Adams said.

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office and Forsyth County Fire Department assisted in the recovery. Major Adams said the autopsy will be performed by the Forsyth County Medical Examiner's Office. 

NEXT: Marietta woman bitten by shark while on vacation in Florida