15-year-old girl who drowned at Georgia swimming hole identified

EMANUEL COUNTY, Ga. — A 15-year-old girl who drowned at a local watering hole has been identified, according to WJBF.

According to the Emanuel County Coroner’s Office, Geemesha Hunter, of Sandersville was at Palm Island Beach in Swainsboro with friends when she started to struggle and then went underwater on Sunday afternoon.

The coroner told WJBF that two friends of Hunter said that as they waded into the deepest part of the swimming hole, Hunter started to struggle and grabbed other swimmers around her. She went under and they ran for help.

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Other beachgoers found her underwater near the slide and diving board. EMS tried lifesaving measures, but Hunter was pronounced dead at the hospital.

According to the Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office, Hunter did not know how to swim.

No foul play is suspected, according to WJBF.

There are no lifeguards at the watering hole.

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According to Palm Beach Island’s social media page, “guests are forewarned to swim and use the attractions [including high dive and slides] at their own risk.”

According to the coroner’s office, Hunter was pronounced dead at 3:15 P.M. at the Emanuel Medical Center in Swainsboro roughly 11 miles away.

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The park also warns parents they must monitor their children and if they don’t, kids will be expelled from the park. It’s unclear if Hunter was with any adults when she drowned.

An obituary for Hunter said funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

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