A man drowned Friday night in the South Santee River, the authorities said Saturday.

The man, Geen Grayton, 51, was swimming in the river near the Pole Yard Boat Landing around 7:00 p.m. when he went under, Georgetown County Coroner Kenney Johnson said.

Department of Natural Resources officers recovered the man's body around 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Johnson said.

"They say he could swim, so he was a good swimmer. But like they say, the best swimmer can drown," said Al Beach, who knew Grayson.

The Georgetown County Sheriff's Office says it used side-scan-sonar equipment to locate Grayson's body.