Step-Father In Atlanta Dies Trying To Save His Step-Son From Drowning In a Lake!

Divers recovered the bodies of Carlos Amaya, 14, and his step-father Jose Alfredo, 40, just off shore from Mountain View Park on Saturday.

According to the Hall County Sheriff's Office, the incident happened when two teenage brothers on a family outing attempted to swim from the shore to an island about 60 yards away.

The older brother made it to the other side, but younger one struggled, authorities said.

"When he turned around, his brother became distressed. That's when he noticed his father coming in the water from the other side," said Hall County Fire Department's Battalion Chief Chad Black.

Despite the step-father's efforts, he and his younger step-son drowned.

Authorities said it's a tragic reminder of how dangerous it can be to enter a lake, especially for people who can't swim well.

"A lot of people don't realize it slopes off," Black said. "All of a sudden it will drop off. Even our guys doing the shore searches where they put a rope around them and hit quadrants of the lake trying to feel with their feet ran into problems where it dropped off very drastically." 

Fire crews said the family, including a sister who was at the lake but not involved in the incident, will be assisted by the Hall County Victim/Witness unit.