A Clayton County man drowned Monday after he jumped into a lake in an attempt to save his father’s life while they were on an early morning fishing trip, authorities said.
Jeremiah Israel, 34, of Jonesboro, died in West Point Lake after he jumped from his boat to try to rescue his 64-year-old father, who had accidentally fallen in the water, according to the Troup County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident happened about 12:30 a.m. under the Cameron Mill bridge, the sheriff’s office said.
Channel 2 Action News reported the father woke up on the boat thinking he was at home and walked into the lake. His son, who couldn’t swim, jumped in after him.
Other boaters who witnessed the incident tried to help and were able to pull the father from the water, the sheriff’s office said. He was taken to WellStar West Georgia Hospital and has since been released.
Rangers from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources found Israel’s body just before 11 a.m.
His brother, Hananiah Israel, told Channel 2 the world is dimmer without his brother in it. One of five siblings, Jeremiah was described as fun-loving, an avid traveler and a music producer. He also worked for Delta.
Channel 2 Action News
Channel 2 Action News
“We’re all shook up right now, but we’re going to be strong about this,” Hananiah Israel said. “Jeremiah, he would want us to be strong. I know how he was. He always had a smile on his face, was always positive about things ... He was definitely a hero for what he did trying to save my dad.”
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