Paul Chandler was reported missing after a car was found in the Congaree River

CALHOUN COUNTY, S.C. – Calhoun County deputies are asking for the public’s help in finding a man whose car was found submerged in the Congaree River.

Officials said Wednesday that 72-year-old Paul Chandler was last seen by his family around 3 a.m. on Dec. 3. At approximately 8 a.m. that morning, his vehicle was found in the Congaree River at Bates Bridge Landing. That’s in an area where Highway 601 crosses the river at the Richland County-Calhoun County border.

Someone passing in the area spotted the vehicle and called police. Multiple agencies responded and were able to pull the empty vehicle out of the water. They then spent hours using boats to search the area for traces of the driver. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources used sonar on its boat during the search.

Chandler is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. He was last seen wearing a camouflage jacket, blue jeans and black work boots.

Calhoun County Sheriff Thomas Summers told News19 Tuesday he has known Chandler and his family for about 35 years, adding that the missing man occasionally visited Bates Bridge Landing to fish or relax and that watching water.

Anyone who has seen Mr. Chandler or has information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911 or 803-874-2741