A father died a hero’s death in an attempt to save his son from drowning at Lake Lanier on Saturday, April 14, 2012.
While spending time with his family, Jose Alfredo Benitez, age 40, went into the water to assist his son, 14-year-old Carlos Amaya, who was struggling while attempting to swim to a nearby island at Mountain View Park.
We are saddened to report that both Lawrenceville residents perished.
Fire rescue teams pulled both victims from the water around 8:30 PM. Hall County Fire Services Battalion Chief Chad Black said, “Unfortunately, this is what we see every year.”
The drownings were the first of the year in Lake Lanier.
We send our condolences to the family.
