An autopsy will be performed today on a teenage boy who drowned Saturday while swimming in Thurmond Lake at Wildwood Park near Appling, Columbia County Chief Deputy Coroner Bonnie Holloway said today.
Christopher Smith, 17, of Ventana Drive, Evans, a Greenbrier High student, was swimming with three friends, said Columbia County deputy coroner Bonnie Holloway.
“He just kind of went out above his head, and he panicked,” she said.
Emergency services received a call about 3:10 p.m. of a possible drowning, according to dive team spokeswoman Honey Shore. A diver with the Columbia County Emergency Management Agency’s Dive Rescue Recovery Team found the body about 4:15 p.m., Ms. Shore said.
God bless the family, what a sad story on such a beautiful day.
No doubt the drowning victim is black. This is why it should be mandatory for everyone to have swimming lessons.
mandatory to have swimming lessons???? more govn't control williigno?
willistontownsc has got to be the biggest idiot ever
why would anyone bring color into this. alot of white's can't swim either
I was one of the bystanders that tried to help serch for him and it is a sad day, it is such a shame that a young life come to such a traggic end My prayers go out to the family and friends and may God bless you, I am so sorry for your Loss
Ya'll be careful in the water. Who cares if the person was white, black, indian.........Williston you have issues.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this child as well as the Greenbrier Football players. This child was a incrediable gift and will truely be missed.
RIP Chris Smith; real stand up and classy guy
It hurts so much to see people say such awful things in a sad time such as this! These are the times when we should pull together as a community un support and comfort one another! This couldve been anyones child or friend! I did not know this young man but when i read the headline I was afraid it was one of my friends and even now finding out it wasnt I am still saddened and my heart goes out to the family. The family will be in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time!
Chris was an awesome child and he will be missed dearly. He had the talent of making you smile at anytime. I pray for his family.
Oh God Chris.... I can't believe he is gone. Chris was sooooo funny. He could make me laugh even if I convinced myself that I was having a horrible day. Third period was my favorite because of him. It just seems like Greenbrier won't be the same without him. It seems like there won't be a reason to laugh anymore. Such a handsome boy too, and so talented. R.I.P Chris Smith
/Nique/
I am sorry for this family and his friends will have to deal with this. Also sorry indivuals post callous remarks on a story like this. why the Chronice does not permanently ban these same indivuals that post insensitive and disrespectful remarks i don't not know. Stop simply deleting a post only to have to do it again later. get rid of them permanently.
We recently moved here and Chris was one of the young men I would see while dropping off my son for football practice. My heart goes out to his family and friends...no one wants to bury a child. My son didnt want to watch it on the news tonite. So sad.
I happen to be WHITE and cannot swim so get over it Williston.
My family sends condolences to the family of this young man may he rest in peace
This brings back sad memories. I'm so sorry this has happened again. My condolences to his family and friends.
AC - It's time to ban Willistontownsc from this site. He has multiple "violations" and this is one too many.
FYI, Chris DID know how to swim. God only knows what happened out there. He could have gotten a cramp, been physically exhausted (as he did just get home from football camp), he could have swallowed water and got disoriented and panicked....who knows. It does not matter...he was a beloved Son, brother, and friend who was taken too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
My son plays football for Greenbrier. We are so sorry for the loss of a good kid.
My prayers go out to the family and friends. One of the best things a parent can do is teach their child how to swim well. It will come in handy at some point in their lives. Start them at an early age and offer them the advanced lifesaving classes also. They may save their own life or the life of another. It is a tragedy when anyone drowns for no reason. It is also a tragedy when someone cannot save another because they do not know how. Go to your local YMCA. The money is well worth it. I am not in any way trying to lay blame on the parents here. I don't know whether Chris could swim or not. I am just an advocate of swimming and taught classes for many years at the YMCA. I taught myself to swim in a neighborhood swimming pool and then took more advanced leveled courses as I improved. If my comments save one life it is worth it to me. And to the comment left by willistontownsc. You are a loser. That is the type of comment that I would expect from someone living in your town. God has a way of punishing people like you and believe me He will.
I second the motion to have willistontownsc banned from this site. It can be done by using his ip address. If you don't you are condoning this kind of behavior. We will be watching to see what happens. Actually, he needs a little more than being banned. People like him like to hide behind anonymity where they feel safe. I'll bet he wouldn't say such things to my face, because I would show him what being banned is really all about.
This is indeed a tragedy. A friend of mine drowned when I was in HS and it is really hear breaking. Willi should be banned. He also has used my name on here which is a violation of the TOS. He is and ignorant little punk.
My daughter knew Chris from Greenbrier and said he was a really sweet kid. I am so sorry for his family and friends' loss. May God bring them peace and comfort in the coming days.
How horribly unfortunate. My heart grieves for this young mans family.
My son and Chris were good friends. They played little league together and went through high school together. This is an awful tragedy. He was a great kid. So sad to be speaking of him in the past tense. Our prayers are with his family.
williston its people like your sorry tail that give people of your race a bad name. why don't you grow up and get over it you stupid jerk..it was sad to hear of this young mans drowning.may god bless his family and give them the strength they need.
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