Georgia Family Vacation Turns into a Nightmare as Five-Year-Old Drowns in Lake Chatuge

A family vacation in north Georgia ended in tragedy on Tuesday when a 5-year-old boy drowned in Lake Chatuge near the town of Hiawassee.

The Towns County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the incident occurred just after midday near a rental home on Stonecrest Circle, as reported by Fox News.

According to the sheriff’s office, the child had been missing for approximately 10 minutes when he was discovered by a family member in the water. The family, visiting from Cumming, Georgia, was staying at a lakeside vacation rental.

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“Investigation revealed the child had been missing for about 10 minutes and apparently had wandered into the lake where he was found by a family member,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

“Deputies immediately began CPR along with fire personnel who had also arrived on the scene.”

The boy was transported to Chatuge Regional Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. His name has not been released by authorities.

Towns County Coroner Tamela Cooper told 11Alive News that the child “fell into the lake and was unable to pull himself out.”

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“EMS, Chatuge Regional Hospital and the Towns County Sheriff’s Office gave it their all,” Cooper said.

“They threw everything they had into saving him, but in the end he was just down too long.”

The death has been ruled accidental.

Lake Chatuge, which sits on the Georgia-North Carolina border, is known for its natural beauty and recreational offerings.

Georgia’s official tourism site describes it as having “scenic beauty nearly unsurpassed in the Southern Appalachian Mountains,” with 132 miles of shoreline and opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, and camping.

The area features numerous public boat ramps, a designated swimming beach, playgrounds, picnic areas, and campgrounds. The Towns County Recreational Beach is a popular destination for families during the summer months.

Despite its appeal, Tuesday’s drowning serves as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with open water, especially for young children. Authorities have not indicated whether any charges are being considered. No foul play is suspected.

Local officials have not announced whether any additional safety measures will be implemented around the lake in response to the incident.

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