Officers and Good Samaritan Save Drowning Four-Year-Old at Sandy Creek Park

On August 17, 2024, Athens-Clarke County Officer Gresham-Jackson responded to an emergency at Sandy Creek Park involving a four-year-old child who had drowned in the lake. Officer Gresham-Jackson was notified of the incident while on duty at the park. Upon arrival at the scene, she joined a Good Samaritan already performing CPR on the child.

Officer Gresham-Jackson called for additional assistance. Officers Ferguson and Cochran arrived shortly thereafter to find the child with a weak pulse but still unresponsive and unconscious. The officers continued to provide life-saving measures, leading to the child aspirating water from her lungs.

Clarke County Fire and Emergency Services and National EMS soon arrived and took over medical care for the child. She was then transported to a local hospital, where she is reported to be recovering well.

“A special thanks is extended to the Good Samaritan who first provided assistance at the scene.”, said the department in a statement.