Drowning Death in Salem

A 27-year-old Greenville man died Tuesday afternoon at Fall Creek Landing near Salem. Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis identified the victim as Thomas Landon Gallman. He and friends arrived at Fall Creek at approximately 5pm; they swam out to the island known as The Rock. He attempted to swim after a water bottle that had floated away; he then disappeared beneath the water surface. Attempts to rescue him were unsuccessful by a female acquaintance. This occurred at approximately 6:30pm; the first 911 call reportedly went to Pickens County Dispatch; Oconee County emergency services were called to assist. He was located and extricated from the lake at approximately 7:25pm. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Addis reports that this appears to be an accidental death.