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What to know about tragic drowning, rescue efforts at Lake Tobesofkee

Stories by Macon Telegraph journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of stories comes from Telegraph reporting on the tragic drowning incident and rescue efforts at Lake Tobesofkee from early June. The first articles recount the events that led to the rescue of two children and the tragic death of one child at the lake. They describe the urgent response by various emergency services, including paramedics and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.

The stories further discuss how a subsequent GoFundMe campaign aimed to support the funeral expenses for one of the victims, Tristan Cornelius, and the heartbreaking developments with the second child's death. First responders shared their experiences during the intense 'do or die' rescue efforts at the lake. Read the stories below.

A Bibb County Sheriff’s Office vehicle sits on the side of Moseley Dixon Road off of Lake Tobesofkee on Friday, May 23, 2025, in Macon, Georgia. Two children were rescued and a third was found dead after a drowning at Lake Tobesofkee Friday afternoon. By Katie Tucker/The Telegraph

NO. 1: 2 CHILDREN RESCUED, 3RD FOUND DEAD AFTER DROWNING AT MACON’S LAKE TOBESOFKEE

Deputies were alerted that the three boys were in the water and went under Friday afternoon. | Published May 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jeremy Chisenhall

NO. 2: GOFUNDME STARTED AFTER 7-YEAR-OLD DROWNS IN LAKE TOBESOFKEE. CORONER IDS VICTIM

A fundraiser seeks to help cover funeral expenses for 7-year-old Tristan Cornelius. | Published May 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lucinda Warnke

Michael Dewayne Jones Public Fishing Area sits off of Lake Tobesofkee on Friday, May 23, 2025, in Macon, Georgia. Two children were rescued and a third was found dead after a drowning at Lake Tobesofkee Friday afternoon. By Katie Tucker/The Telegraph

NO. 3: 2ND CHILD DIES IN DROWNING ON LAKE TOBESOFKEE, BIBB COUNTY CORONER SAYS.

The child died early Saturday morning after being in critical condition for several days. | Published June 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lucinda Warnke

Community Ambulance paramedic Dominique Hodges (left), EMT Kole Adams (middle) and paramedic Jacob DiPaolo pose in front of an ambulance on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at the Community Ambulance office in Macon, Georgia. The two paramedics and EMT were posted at Lake Tobesofkee last Friday and responded to three children drowning. By Katie Tucker/The Telegraph

NO. 4: RESPONDERS WHO PULLED DROWNING KIDS FROM LAKE TOBESOFKEE RECALL ‘DO OR DIE’ RESCUE

The two paramedics and EMT were looking forward to a day on the lake when they realized the three boys were in trouble. | Published June 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lucinda Warnke

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.