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By Jenna Sundel
News Reporter
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A father died while trying to rescue his son from drowning in a popular Virginia lake over Memorial Day weekend.
The 42-year-old father and his 14-year-old son both drowned in Lake Anna on Saturday, according to a Louisa County Sheriff's Office press release.
Officials responded to the lake, which is located about 60 miles north of Richmond, around 1:10 p.m. Witnesses said the father was trying to rescue his son and they saw him struggling before losing him. Several people jumped into the water and tried to locate them, but they were unsuccessful.
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The Louisa County Sheriff's Office Marine Units, Mineral Volunteer Fire Department, Lake Anna Volunteer Rescue, Department of Wildlife Resources and Spotsylvania County Fire & EMS Dive Team divers helped find the bodies.
Both the father and son were pronounced dead at the scene.
The sheriff's office said the victims were out of state, but their names were not released pending notification of next of kin. Officials do not suspect any foul play.
The Office of the Medical Examiner in Richmond will examine the bodies.
Authorities are still investigating the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call the Louisa County Sheriff's Office CID Unit at (540)967-1234 or anonymously at Louisa Crime Solvers at (800)346-1466.
Other drownings in Lake Anna
Lake Anna is a popular state park with a beach, fishing pond, places to stay overnight and trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The lake stretches over 13,000 acres. It is one of the largest freshwater inland reservoirs in the state.
The lake was originally created to provide clean freshwater to help cool nuclear power plants. The "cold" side of the lake, which provides water to the plants, is public. The "hot" side, which is where warm water from the plant is released, is private.
People who saw the father and son drown told WTVR that they drowned on the "hot" side.
Another incident of a father and son drowning after an attempted rescue happened at Lake Anna in 2018. In that incident, 54-year-old David Michael Murray was hospitalized in critical condition after he unsuccessfully attempted to rescue his son with special needs, 21-year-old Ryan David Murray. Ryan fell off of the dock on Jerdone Island.
A 64-year-old man, Guadalupe Lopez Reyes, also died after drowning in the lake in August of last year. Surveillance footage showed him falling into the water. Divers recovered his body and officials said they did not suspect foul play.
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