West Virginia Father’s Body Pulled from Lake After He Rescued His Son: 'Terrible Tragedy'
Authorities said Kevaughn Jamar Montgomery entered the water on July 15 after his son began struggling with his life vest
A West Virginia father has been found dead after drowning in a lake while saving his son.
The body of Kevaughn Jamar Montgomery, 25, of Charleston, was pulled from Sutton Lake on July 16, according to NBC affiliate WSAZ-TV and CBS affiliate WTRF-TV.
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources said Montgomery was boating with friends and family on July 15 when his son entered the water and began struggling with his life vest, WSAZ-TV reported.
Montgomery then entered the water and helped his son to safety, but slipped under the water’s surface a short time later, according to CBS affiliate WOWK-TV.
The father's body was found the next day around 7 p.m. local time near the Wolf Run area, WSAZ-TV reported. The DNR said Montgomery was not wearing a personal floatation device at the time.
“This is a terrible tragedy,” said WVDNR Capt. Douglas Benson, per a subsequent WSAZ-TV report. “There is no other way to look at it. It is a terrible tragedy.”
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WVDNR Police Chief Col. Bobby Cales offered condolences to Montgomery’s friends and family following his sudden death.
“His heroic actions to save his son are a testament to his courage and love,” Cales noted, per WSAZ-TV.
The police chief also reminded others about the importance of wearing personal floatation devices while on the water.
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“This tragedy underscores the importance of using life jackets and taking all necessary precautions on the water to ensure the safety of our loved ones while enjoying our beautiful waterways,” Cales explained, according to the outlet.
The WVDNR did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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