Crime & Safety

3 Dead After Man Tries To Save Girls In GA River

The man was reportedly attempting to save two sisters, ages 7 and 10, in a GA river, but all three of them went into the water and drowned.

MACON, GA — A man and two young girls are dead after drowning this week in a river at a Georgia park, authorities said.

The Bibb County Sheriff's Office first began investigating the drownings around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Amerson River Park, where they say the man and girls, ages 7 and 10, died.

Investigators say the three victims were in the Ocmulgee River when they "suddenly went under," FOX Atlanta reported.

Find out what's happening in Maconfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The man was attempting to save the two girls from the water, but all three of them went into the water, authorities told the Macon Telegraph.

Multiple agencies searched for the trio into the night hours, but authorities said they had to suspend the search until Wednesday morning. The search caused the park to shut down.

Find out what's happening in Maconfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Ultimately, authorities said they were able to retrieve all three people from the river.

Authorities said Johnny Collins III, 28, and Summer McRae, 7, were pronounced dead early Wednesday morning, and Skyler Worthen, 10, was pronounced dead around 3 p.m. Wednesday.

WGXA reported the coroner's office confirmed the two girls were sisters; their relationship to Collins was not known.

Amerson River Park reopened Thursday morning.

The drowning remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at (478) 751-7500.

ALSO SEE: Get The Latest Local News (For Free!) With One Quick Tap

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Macon