South Carolina teen drowns trying to save his younger brother



[ad_1]

A 15-year-old boy drowned in South Carolina trying to save his youngest brother in what officials have called the most lethal mass of water in the state.

Sahiyd Thomas-Joyner, of Moore, S.C., about 15 minutes from Spartanburg, died Friday after trying to rescue his 12-year-old brother in Lake Keowee, near Keowee National Park, according to local sources.

The deputy county coroner, Gary Duncan, said Thomas Joyner was on a camping trip with a church when he realized his brother was struggling in the lake around 7 pm. Friday. Duncan said Thomas Joyner pushed his brother to the shore, but then returned underwater.

HURRICANE DORIAN ONARTHS CANNONBALLS OF CIVIL WAR ON THE BEACH OF SOUTH CAROLINA BEACH

According to officials, bystanders reportedly showed where they had last seen the teenager in the water, about 20 feet from the shore.

Rescuers were able to find Thomas-Joyner around 19:45. and he was taken to a hospital in the area where he was pronounced dead, according to WHNS-TV.

The area was not easily accessible by land and officials were on site within 21 minutes of the 911 call, the television channel reported, citing emergency management officials. The teenager was found less than 11 minutes after searching the water.

The condition of Thomas-Joyner's youngest brother was not immediately revealed.

Thomas-Joyner was a sophomore at Dorman High School in Spartanburg County School District, according to a Facebook post posted on the school's page.

BOY, 6, uses DISNEY's money for travel around the world to help hurricane DORIAN evacuate to southern Carolina

"We have very bad news to share with our Cavalier family. Sahiyd Thomas-Joyner, one of our students, died this weekend in a tragic accident, "commented the Facebook publication of Dorman High School.

The message continues: "According to Sahiyd's parents, he jumped into the lake to save his brother, who seemed to have been caught in a current. He managed to bring his brother down, but unfortunately Sahiyd did not survive. "

According to the post, the teenager loved to sing, was involved in school choirs, and "was sincerely interested in others".

His brothers and sisters also attend schools in the district, according to the message, which adds: "We ask you to keep his family in your thoughts and prayers."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Additional counselors and support resources were available Monday for students, faculty and staff.

Associated Press contributed to this report.

[ad_2]

Source link