Father and Son Tragically Drown at Lake Anna While on Vacation

Tragedy has struck a family from Harborcreek, Pennsylvania, as a father and son lost their lives in a heartbreaking drowning incident at Lake Anna in Virginia this past weekend.

The victims, identified as 14-year-old Tyler Atchley and 42-year-old Matthew Atchley, were attending a graduation party when the tragic event unfolded, according to reports confirmed by the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office.

At around 1 p.m. on Saturday, the local authorities received a distress call regarding a child drowning. Responding deputies narrated that the child’s father, Matthew Atchley, immediately leaped into the water in an attempt to save his son, Tyler Atchley.

Witnesses at the scene recounted the heart-wrenching moments as the father was observed struggling in the water before succumbing and disappearing beneath the surface alongside his son, Tyler.

Despite the efforts of several bystanders who courageously plunged into the water to aid in the search, the father and son could not be located. It took an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) dive team to later recover their lifeless bodies from Lake Anna.

Harbor Creek School District Superintendent, Kelly Hess, extended the district’s deepest condolences to the family, mentioning that grief counselors were being made available to assist students in processing the loss.

Heidi Johnson, Matthew Atchley’s first cousin, expressed profound shock and sorrow upon receiving the tragic news, describing Matthew as a selfless individual who possessed boundless love for those around him.

The bereaved Atchley family, including Matthew’s wife and daughter as well as Tyler’s siblings, is facing an unimaginably difficult time as they grapple with the sudden loss of their loved ones. A GoFundMe page has been set up to alleviate the family’s funeral expenses.