Tragic Drowning Incident Claims the Life of Atlanta Teen
Teen Gets Pulled Underwater by Strong Current at Georgia Beach
In a tragic development, a teenager from Atlanta tragically drowned after a strong current pulled him underwater at a beach in Georgia.
The Incident
Officials rushed to Tybee Island’s Back River Beach on receiving a distress call around 11:45 a.m. The call was related to three individuals who had been carried underwater by an overwhelming ocean surge. While two of the beach-goers were successfully rescued, the third, 16-year-old Laquavis McCray, was unfortunately unreachable.
Game wardens teamed with the marine patrol for an intensive search operation and were able to locate McCray’s body after several agonizing hours.
Family in Mourning
Anita, McCray’s grieving mother, first heard the devastating news of her son’s death while on duty at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. She recounts, “When they told me, my heart dropped. They told me my baby passed away, that he drowned and the current took him away.”
Anita said it was her son’s first visit to the beach, adding the alarming fact that he had never swum before. The distressed mother provided a crucial piece of advice for others, stating, “If you’ve never swum before, just don’t go that far. Stay where the water hits your feet and be mindful, don’t let anybody persuade you or pressure you.”
Cautionary Note
Accidents like this underline the importance of water safety and the potential dangers of underestimating the power of ocean currents. It serves as a grim reminder to ensure basic swimming skills and awareness of water safety measures, especially when visiting beach areas where unpredictable waves or sea currents might be present.
Experts advise that beginners or non-swimmers should always stay close to the shore, within the designated swimming areas supervised by trained lifeguards, and to avoid going into the water during adverse weather conditions or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Even capable swimmers should respect the sea and its current, always staying alert and aware of changing conditions and seeking expert advice when in doubt.
