GILLSVILLE - Grief counselors will remain on campus throughout the school day Friday following the drowning death of a 16-year-old student in Cedar Creek Reservoir Thursday afternoon.
Hall County School System spokesman Gordon Higgins identified the student in a Friday morning press release as Juan Carlos Salazar.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the student who tragically lost his life today," Higgins said.
Hall County Fire and EMS Chief David Kimbrell said the teen was swimming in the reservoir with a group of friends when he became distressed and went under the water.
"Our marine rescue team went in the water and dove for about 22 minutes," said Kimbrell. "...and he was recovered in about 28 feet of water."
Hall County Sheriff's Deputy John Marshall said Friday there were six teens, including the victim, at the reservoir when the incident occurred just before 2 p.m..
"The victim's friends, who had been with him, tried to help him in and were unable to conduct the rescue," said Marshall in a press statement.
Witnesses, all high school students, provided divers with good information for rescue/recovery operations."
Cedar Creek Reservoir is a 143-acre lake off Timber Ridge Road.
Tuesday
April 23rd, 2024
9:12AM
