Troup County officials urge water safety after toddler nearly drowns

TROUP COUNTY, Ga. ( WRBL ) — Troup County officials are urging everyone to practice safety measures while on the water after a toddler nearly drowned at West Point Lake Monday evening.

On July 1, the Troup County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) responded to the Yellow Jacket Beach on West Point Lake regarding a possible drowning. The victim was a 3-year-old boy.

People nearby sprang into action, pulling the toddler out of the water. They administered CPR before authorities arrived and took over care.

When deputies arrived, they took the child from the people that were on scene and took him to the ambulance and firefighters on scene. The child was then airlifted to an Atlanta-area hospital. I believe Children’s Egleston Hospital, where he was receiving life-saving care We understand that he is still receiving that care.

Stewart Smith, Troup County Sheriff’s Office PIO

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources reported 53 drownings in 2023. The sheriff’s office says this incident serves as a reminder to the community to keep water safety as a top priority this summer.

There was a large gathering of people out there, and it’s our understanding that the child just may have gotten away from the adults out there like a lot of kids do. They get away from you very quickly. The child did not have a life jacket on. And certainly this time of year, we want to just reinforce the importance of wearing life jackets, especially small children when they’re around bodies of water.

Stewart Smith, Troup County Sheriff’s Office PIO

Troup County EMA Director, Zac Steele, says the majority of the incidents that have happened on the water are preventable.

Life jackets could save lives. There’s a reason they make them and ask people to wear them to protect their lives and save them. We average anywhere from four to six drownings a year on West Point Lake. It’s 26,000 acres. That’s a large body of water. And we’ve already dealt with several this year. There was only one time someone was wearing a life jacket just in the drownings that we dealt with this year.

Zac Steele, Troup County Emergency Management Director

Officials say life jackets are available at Yellow Jacket Beach or can be purchased at nearby stores.

The sheriff’s office says the possible drowning appears to be an accident.

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