Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey issued the following statement.
Teen Drowns In Rankin County Lake
On Wednesday September 27, 2017 at approximately 8:16 p.m. the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a possible drowning in the 200 block of Byrd Road south of Florence.
It was reported that a large group of teens attending a function had been swimming and a 16 yoa male had gone under the water and had not resurfaced.
First Responders from Southwest Fire Department, Rankin County Sheriff’s Office, Rankin EOC and Pafford Ambulance Service Responded to the scene. Rescue equipment was brought in to search for the teen. This equipment included a boat equipped with sonar. The victim was located with the sonar and Rankin County divers went into the lake and recovered the teen’s body at approximately 10:50 p.m.
Rankin County Coroner David Ruth responded to the scene and took custody of the teen’s body.
Accidents like this are devastating to the teenager’s family and heartbreaking for first responders. Please pray for Gods comfort for this family.
5 comments:
During my lifetime I have become aware of how dangerous lake and river swimming are. From diving into unknown water to being snared by unseen hazards. I know some drown in clear water but swimming pools are much less dangerous for crowds of swimmers. So sorry for his friends and family -- they will never fully recover from this tragedy.
So sad. WAPT says it was a 16 year old Brandon High student, Jeremy Gatlin, who happened to be African American. From the looks of the two pictures they had, he was a good looking, clean cut kid. The group he was with says some of them were racing to the pier and back and at some point looked back and he just wasn't there.
Amazing why people continue to have these type of get togethers at lakes and ponds with young people. Too dangerous. I remember in high school in the seventies we took a field trip to Roosevelt State Park and the school allowed students to go out on paddle boats without life jackets. Nothing happened but really stupid.
He was an exceptional student and friend to all. The BHS JROTC will hurt over this loss forever. Prayers to his family.
Louis: I'm sure you must have had a reason to point out that the young man was a 'good looking, clean cut African American', but I can't think of one.
Prayers for his family, relatives, close friends and the student body.
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