LOUISA COUNTY, Va. (WJET) – Tragedy struck a family from Harborcreek, Pennsylvania while on vacation in Virginia over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
A father and son both drowned in Lake Anna Saturday while attending a graduation party.
The victims have been identified by family members as 14-year-old Tyler Atchley and 42-year-old Matthew Atchley.
According to the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, just after 1 p.m. Saturday, they received a call for a reported child drowning.
Deputies said while they were on their way, the child’s father jumped into the water in an attempt to rescue his son.
Witnesses say the father was seen struggling in the water before he too went under.
Several bystanders jumped into the water to find the father and son but were unsuccessful. An EMS dive team later recovered the bodies.
Kelly Hess, superintendent of the Harbor Creek School District, released a statement that said:
It is with a heavy heart that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of one of our Junior High students and his father while on vacation out of town. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time.
Kelly Hess
In the wake of this tragedy, the district has arranged to have additional counselors available to talk with students about normal responses to grief. Additional counselors will be available whenever needed. On behalf of Harbor Creek, we once again extend our sincere condolences to the family on this tragic event.
Heidi Johnson, Matthew Atchley’s first cousin, said she was shocked to hear about the tragic news from the family Saturday. “I just kept asking her, are you sure? Are you messing with me, are you sure? And she said, ‘no I am not.’ I just lost it. Losing a husband and a son all at one time is very unreal.”
She remembered her cousin as someone she said would do anything for anybody. “He had more love for you than anybody in this entire world. He and his son both would give the biggest hugs and supported you no matter what you were like at all.”
Matthew and Tyler Atchley are survived by a wife and mom and three daughters and sisters.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family pay for funeral expenses, you can find the link to donate here.
