Tragic drownings prompt safety calls at Macon park

After three drownings at Amerson River Park, read below on what we know about the circumstances, the victims and community response.

The victims were a 7-year-old girl, a 10-year-old girl, and a 28-year-old man. The girls were identified as sisters; the man, Johnny “Yung” Collins III, was trying to help the girls when the three of them went underwater and did not resurface. Collins worked as a DJ at a local bar.

Locals want more safety at the park or complete closure of river access. A Change.org petition advocates for closing the park's river access to prevent more deaths. Other park users comment that currents make the river dangerous even for strong swimmers.

Local officials said they used diving crews, helicopters, and sonar technology to locate the victims in difficult water conditions. They also described how attempts to halt water flow in the river aided search teams by reducing water movement and improving visibility.

Community members expressed frustration with the current safety protocols, emphasizing the need for life jackets and on-site responders to prevent further drownings.

State officials comfort friends and family of the missing outside of Amerson River Park on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Macon, Georgia. Amerson River Park closed on Wednesday while officials continued to search for three people that went missing while swimming Tuesday evening. Around 20 friends and family members showed up wanting to help assist in the search. By Katie Tucker/The Telegraph

NO. 1: 3 VICTIMS FOUND DEAD AFTER THEY WENT MISSING AT AMERSON RIVER PARK IN MACON

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is investigating it as a possible drowning. | Published July 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jesse Fraga

A search helicopter flies over the Ocmulgee River in Amerson River Park on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Macon, Georgia. The bodies of two of three victims were recovered Wednesday morning from the Ocmulgee River after they went under and did not resurface on Tuesday evening, while the search continues for the final missing person. By Katie Tucker/The Telegraph

NO. 2: 3 DEAD AFTER DROWNING AT AMERSON RIVER PARK. WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE VICTIMS

A local DJ and two young girls: What we know about the victims of Tuesday’s drowning at Amerson River Park. | Published July 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jesse Fraga

NO. 3: ‘CLOSE THIS PLACE ALREADY.’ LOCALS WANT MORE SAFETY AT AMERSON RIVER PARK AFTER DROWNINGS

A local resident has urged Macon-Bibb County to close river access points at the park through a petition. | Published July 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jesse Fraga

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.